Napoli’s decision to appoint Massimiliano Allegri as their new manager on three-year contract is undoubtedly a major statement of intent.
The 58-year-old knows what it takes to win the Serie A title having achieved the feat on six previous occasions with AC Milan and Juventus.
Allegri has now been tasked with building on the foundations laid by predecessor Antonio Conte. That may be easier said than done.
Intriguingly, Allegri has been in this position before. Read on as we assess Napoli’s decision to appoint Allegri and how it will impact their 2026/27 Serie A season.
Conte will be a tough act to follow
Conte guided Napoli to the Serie A title in his first season at the club, before finishing second last time around. He unsurprisingly clashed with the club’s board.
He has left Allegri with a talented squad that knows what success feels like, rather than one which needs to be completely rebuilt during the summer transfer window.
Allegri won the title with Milan in 2011 and later enjoyed a hugely successful spell at Juventus, winning five consecutive league titles and four Italian Cups.
He also reached two Champions League finals with Juventus, so understands the pressure that comes with managing a club that demands ongoing success.
There are several intriguing links between Allegri and Conte. Allegri replaced Conte at Juventus in 2014 after the latter had won three consecutive league titles.
Despite doubts about whether Allegri could maintain Juventus’ success, the club continued to dominate Italian football. Napoli will be hoping for a similar outcome.
Evolution rather than revolution is needed
Allegri’s reputation has suffered in recent years, with a second stint at Juventus and a season with AC Milan raising questions about whether his best days are behind him.
The bigger question is how much he will change Napoli’s style after taking over from Conte. The transition between the two managers should be seamless.
They both place plenty of emphasis on being organised defensively, attacking quickly when opportunities appear and having strong midfielders who can contribute in attack.
Allegri has been known to be more conservative in his approach, and his more negative brand of football may not find favour with Napoli fans.
His Milan side relied heavily on attacking space and counter-attacks, particularly through players capable of moving quickly from deep positions into the final third.
Rather than forcing every attack through a complicated tactical pattern, Allegri generally wants his players to recognise opportunities and exploit them.
He prefers to give attacking players the freedom to move into dangerous areas rather than forcing them to rigidly maintain their position.
That could be useful with a Napoli squad that already understands how to play with intensity. If he finds the right balance, he could soon get the supporters onside.
Allegri believes that replacing Conte is a ‘good omen’
The new Napoli manager unquestionably has a point to prove after overseeing an unsuccessful Serie A campaign at Milan last term.
A run of just two wins in their final eight games resulted in them missing out on Champions League qualification. That failure led to Allegri’s dismissal.
Allegri admitted that the outcome affected him because it was the first time in his coaching career that he had finished outside the top four.
He now has the opportunity to set the record straight and believes that replacing Conte for the second time in his career could work the oracle for him.
“I am inheriting a squad that is certainly accustomed to hard work,” Allegri said in his first press conference as Napoli manager.
“Conte has proven his worth throughout his career. I’m lucky, this is actually the second time I’ve inherited Antonio’s team – let’s hope it’s a good omen.
“It will be important to work with seriousness and professionalism, and above all to lay the groundwork for reaching March – as I always say that’s when seasons are decided – still in contention for all our objectives – Serie A, the Champions League and the Italian Cup.”
Napoli will hope that Milan’s late-season collapse was an exception rather than the beginning of a career decline for Allegri.
They have tasted success under Conte and will be desperate to reclaim the coveted Serie A title from Inter Milan this season.
Regardless of how his final campaign at Milan panned out, Allegri’s appointment should make Napoli serious contenders for the Serie A title this season.
