Conte announces his departure this summer: I cannot unite Napoli.

Antonio Conte announced on Sunday that he will step down as head coach at the end of the season.

As a prominent Italian coach, Conte has achieved a record of 54 wins, 19 draws, and 18 losses since taking over Napoli in July 2024. He has also led Napoli to one Serie A title and one Italian Super Cup, and the team finished as runners-up in the recently concluded Serie A season.

However, Conte still announced his decision to leave at the post-match press conference: "A month ago, I called the president and told him that, based on our friendship, I had a feeling my journey here was coming to an end. I didn't make any demands, and he didn't explain any plans to me. I also didn't want to know anything, because I had no interest in it, after all, I had already decided to leave Napoli."

He further added: "The reason I decided to leave is because I failed in one thing: I couldn't unite you all, and I couldn't bring cohesion to the team. Without unity, Napoli will have a hard time competing with other teams. I witnessed too many malicious slanders and provocative remarks against me and the players. Those who spread malice are losers, and Napoli doesn't need losers."

“I was powerless. When I couldn’t change the situation, although I felt regret, I always took responsibility. I have been doing so for the past two years. But when I realized that some things could not be changed, I chose to leave.”

“My departure was not due to the Chairman’s coercion, but my own choice. The Chairman said that his door was always open to me, as long as I changed my mind before the last day. I am extremely proud of this. This is my home, so I will always be grateful to the Chairman.”

“I thought I could coach in a relatively relaxed environment, but I soon realized that my presence led to a corresponding increase in external expectations, standards and aspirations.”

"I am satisfied with the achievements I have made together with the chairman, sporting director, all staff and players over the past two years. I believe we have achieved some important results."

Multiple media outlets have previously reported that Conte has been considered a leading candidate for the Italian national team coach position. In response, Conte stated, "If I were the president of the Italian Football Federation, I would include Conte on the shortlist. Guardiola's name has also appeared, but is the federation ready to have a top-tier coach? Hiring a top coach means both honor and burden. Do they have sufficient funds to hire Guardiola?"

Image source: Internet