It took less than a summer for Antonio Conte to guide Napoli back to prominence. One of the most successful European coaches of the last decade, Conte is a special manager and he showed it on the pitch as he was able to win almost everywhere he worked in a short time.
When former Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli called him in 2011 to coach the club where he was the captain, he couldn’t refuse and managed to win the league with an undefeated record in his first season, marking the beginning of an incredible cycle.
Nearly 15 years later, the winning mentality of Conte is still a key reason why clubs want to work with him. After leaving Juventus, he became the coach of the Italian national team, creating an exciting atmosphere with less talented players.
He continued winning at Chelsea and Inter, showing that he doesn’t hesitate to manage rivals. In 2013, amidst a conflict of interest, he confidently stated he would give everything if he were to manage Inter or AC Milan someday.
“Of course, I’m a professional. I give everything to this club until I’m the manager, but make no mistake – if one day I manage Inter or AC Milan, I will give everything for that team,” he asserted.
Conte has always focused on the long-term vision for his teams. When he joined Inter in 2019, he requested major improvements at the training center, revealing that he aims to leave a lasting legacy at Napoli as well.
“I want to leave something better for the future when I leave. The club must grow to be competitive,” he emphasized during a recent press conference.
Conte’s time has not come without challenges. His recent stint at Tottenham saw him depart before the end of the season due to an inability to implement necessary changes.
Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis had attempted to recruit him before, but this time Conte arrived with enthusiasm when they faced difficulties following a poor start to the 2024-25 season.
Despite losing key players, he is working on rebuilding the team’s spirit and focus, earning them a chance to compete for the Scudetto this season. His relentless focus on detail and improvement has quickly begun to pay off, as Napoli aim for the title this year.
