Napoli have found the man to replace Antonio Conte. And it’s not just anyone. The choice has fallen on Maurizio Sarri – the man who once conjured with Napoli and almost won the league title.
Without the club having confirmed anything officially, it is nevertheless clear: Sarri is making a comeback at Napoli. He takes over from Antonio Conte, who has had two intense years at the club. Conte delivered a historic league gold in the 2024/25 season and followed up with a strong second year. Still, it seems that his journey at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium is coming to an end.
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The temptation for Antonio Conte to take over the Italian national team is said to be great.
Conte is wearing out – now Sarri is coming in
Conte’s time at Napoli has been both successful and tiring. He came to rebuild a team that had lost its identity, and he did so immediately. But the way Conte works demands everything from everyone – from club, players and management. When one of the pieces starts to struggle, it becomes difficult to continue.
Therefore, Napoli chooses to close the chapter before the wear becomes too great. Conte is leaving, but leaves behind a solid foundation.
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And in comes Sarri.
Sarri’s first term: No league title, but a popular team
Sarri never won the league title with Napoli. Still, he sits deep in the hearts of his fans. His team played bold, attacking and playful football – challenging Juventus year after year.
With his system based on possession, high precision, quick combinations and an almost mesmerising passing game, Sarri made Napoli one of Europe’s most entertaining teams.
“It wasn’t just the results that impressed. That was the feeling, many said.
New contract: Three years and three and a half million euros
Now he is going back. According to the deal, Sarri will sign for three years and earn around €3.5 million net per season. That is a significant but manageable sum for Napoli, who want stability on the bench.
And that’s exactly what the club is after: not a temporary solution, but a long-term plan. Sarri will help build the team, participate in player logistics and rebuild a football idea over time.
Why it can work – and why it’s risky
Sarri knows the city, the pressure, the fans – who live football with an intensity few other places can match. It makes the transition easier.
The challenge will still be enormous. He returns to a place where he once created magic. He will constantly be compared to himself from before. In addition, football has changed since his first spell at Napoli.
He must not only win games. He has to prove that his ideas still hold.
Ready for transition – with the same goal
As Napoli prepares for a shift into high gear, one word is constant: ambition. Conte resigns as champion, Sarri comes in as a symbol of a golden era many hope to get back.
The goal is exactly the same as before: To keep Napoli at the very top of Italian football and make the Diego Armando Maradona stadium one of Europe’s most feared home grounds.
