Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis says he would allow Antonio Conte to take over the Italy national team, while backing Giovanni Malagò for FIGC president.
Aurelio De Laurentiis has admitted he would allow Antonio Conte to leave Napoli at the end of the season to become the head coach of the Italian national football team.
🎙️🇮🇹 Conte: “The rumors about the national team? Without going too far back, last year in the final three months there was talk that I would leave Napoli, that I’d go to Juventus, wasn’t there? The media do their job and have to write, and it’s right that my name is part of it.… pic.twitter.com/hsyQ2x0B8r
— Napoli Zone (@TheNapoliZone) April 6, 2026
Speaking in Los Angeles during the premiere of a documentary celebrating Napoli’s fourth Scudetto, De Laurentiis revealed he would not stand in Conte’s way if the opportunity arose.
The Napoli president stressed that while he would grant permission, Conte would only consider the role if approached in a structured and serious manner. He suggested the manager would be cautious about taking charge without clear organization and long-term planning in place.
Conte has recently emerged as one of the leading candidates to replace Gennaro Gattuso, who stepped down following Italy’s disappointing exit from the FIFA World Cup qualification play-offs.
The Italian Football Federation is expected to wait until after the presidential elections before appointing a new national team coach, with a new president set to be chosen on June 22. Former FIGC president Gabriele Gravina resigned after the play-off elimination, creating a leadership vacuum within the federation ahead of key decisions.
In the meantime, Italy will play two friendly matches in June under a caretaker coach, with Silvio Baldini widely expected to take temporary charge until a permanent appointment is made.
