La Gazzetta dello Sport reports Vincenzo Montella has emerged as a potential candidate for the Napoli job, but Antonio Conte remains Aurelio De Laurentiis’ priority.
According to a report from La Gazzetta dello Sport, former Milan and Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Montella is the latest candidate linked to the Napoli job.
Napoli are expected to get a new boss for 2024-25 after hiring three different coaches this term.
The season started with Rudi Garcia in charge, but Walter Mazzarri replaced the Frenchman in November, while Francesco Calzona arrived in February.
The latter is also under contract with the Slovakia national team and is not expected to remain at the Stadio Maradona beyond the summer.
Montella has 267 Serie A appearances as a coach and is currently under contract with the Turkish national team. The 49-year-old from Pomigliano D’Arco, just a few kilometres away from Naples, has won 110 matches in Italy’s top flight, picked up 67 draws, and suffered 90 defeats. His point average in Serie is 1.49 per game, with 393 goals scored and 343 conceded.
He made his Serie A debut at Roma in 2011 before joining Catania, Fiorentina, Sampdoria and Milan. He returned to Fiorentina in 2019 but he only remained in charge from April until December in his second spell at the Stadio Franchi.
The ex-Italy international will be involved at Euro 2024 with Turkey, meeting Georgia, Portugal and Czech Republic in the group phase.
This means that the Aeroplanino will face Partenopei star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in his debut at the Euros on June 18.
There are still Euro 2024 tickets available online. Many Serie A stars will be involved in the tournament, plus, of course, the Azzurri, who will defend their European champion status. Montella was in the stands at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday to watch his former clubs, Roma and Milan, meet in the Europa League quarter-final second leg.
The former striker had praised Daniele De Rossi prior to the game: “Daniele managed to do everything in a very short time. His arrival had an incredible impact on the Giallorossi. His Roma are courageous but always logical; they have great balance.”
However, Montella isn’t the only candidate for the Napoli job.
Gazzetta confirms that Antonio Conte remains Napoli’s dream for next season, while Fiorentina’s Vincenzo Italiano is the most realistic option.
Previous reports had linked Stefano Pioli, Gian Piero Gasperini and even Massimiliano Allegri with the Napoli job, given that the Partenopei will appoint the Old Lady director Giovanni Manna as their new director of football in the summer.
Pioli and Allegri are under fire at Milan and Juventus, while Gasperini’s situation at Atalanta is the opposite as La Dea are in the race for a Champions League placement in Serie A and qualified for the Coppa Italia and Europa League semi-finals.