As reported by Alfredo Pedullà, Vincenzo Italiano has met with representatives of Napoli in Rome and is currently the front-running for the coaching seat at the Stadio Maradona.
Earlier today, the 48-year-old communicated to Bologna his desire to leave this summer.
Italiano has been expected to join the managerial merry-go-round that is expected to considerably shift personnel across Serie A this summer. Recently, he was also linked with the Milan job, whose recently sacked manager Max Allegri was, up until recently, the leading name to take over from Antonio Conte in Naples.
Allegri had reached an agreement with Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis last summer as well, before Conte decided to continue for another year. However, his distant links with the Italy national team job and the spectacular implosion at Milan that saw his tumble out of top four and trigger a mass exodus across the upper levels of the club — himself included — has weakened his position and, evidently, Napoli’s resolve.
Maurizio Sarri was also considered a likely candidate to return to the club, but he has taken a late turn away from the Partenopei and is expected to unveiled as the new Atalanta manager.
Approaching Italiano shows Napoli are confident
It is clear that Napoli have a competent squad to challenge for the Serie A title next season and compete on multiple fronts. Allegri would have been a safe option for them, but given how things unravelled for him at Milan in recent days shows he may not be a sure bet for domestic dominance as he once was, even though Milan’s recent implosion has other factors dictating their predicament.
Nevertheless, Napoli’s pursuit of Sarri and Italiano shows they are more confident in the squad that they have and less reliant on a singular managerial force to carve a new path for them, something Conte had to do after their dismal 2023/24 campaign.
Moreover, at Bologna, Italiano has demonstrated maturity in his tactics, showcasing he is willing to add a bit of adaptability to the aggressive approach that saw him attract eyeballs in Florence. He has earned an opportunity to deliver at the very top of Italian football, and looks like he’s about to get his chance.
Anshuman Joshi | GIFN
