Conte hints Napoli exit before Udinese finale
Quick summary
Antonio Conte suggested Napoli's final Serie A match against Udinese could be his last in charge, while saying the team's achievements this season have been under-rated. He did not deny the framing that this is his final game on the Napoli bench.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceAntonio Conte did not deny this is his final game on the Napoli bench against Udinese. ‘I think some of what we did this season was under-rated.’
It kicks off at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona at 17.00 UK time (18.00 CEST).
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s final round of Serie A games on the Liveblog.
While there is nothing official yet, Conte has all but confirmed this is his last match for the Partenopei, despite having one more year left on his contract.
He won the Scudetto last season, then the Supercoppa Italiana this term, steering his side to Champions League qualification again.
Conte set for Napoli exit PISA, ITALY – MAY 17: Antonio Conte manager of SSC Napoli celebrates the victory after during the Serie A match between Pisa SC and SSC Napoli at Arena Garibaldi on May 17, 2026 in Pisa, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images) “It is important to get a positive result always, whether it’s the last, first or in between, we must always try to achieve the maximum objective,” Conte told DAZN Italia.
“I said in the post-Pisa press conference that you can only really understand Napoli and what it means for the fans by working here. It is so passionate, and everything gets dialled up to the maximum, which also makes it more difficult than in other clubs.
“Winning here really is more satisfying than anywhere else.”
NAPLES, ITALY – APRIL 24: Antonio Conte SSC Napoli head coach during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and US Cremonese at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on April 24, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images) How does Conte feel going into the final game of his Napoli career?
“My first emotion is the same as usual before games, the first thing I think about is trying to have a good game, get a good result. We must end the season well, because this is a season where in my view we did some very important things that were perhaps under-rated.
“The lads deserve to end the campaign on a positive note,” concluded the coach, who did not push back on the framing of the question.
Today is also the 77 th birthday of Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis, who was in the news this week with reports he had turned down an offer worth over €2 billion from an American consortium to buy the club.
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What happened
Ahead of Napoli's final Serie A game against Udinese, Antonio Conte spoke as if his departure is close, though there has been no official announcement. Reports already indicated he is set to leave despite having another year on his contract. Conte defended Napoli's season, arguing their accomplishments were under-appreciated after winning the Scudetto last season, adding the Supercoppa Italiana this term, and securing Champions League qualification again. His comments raise immediate uncertainty around Napoli's managerial situation.
Chance analysis
Potential managerial turnover is highly relevant because it can affect squad morale, tactical continuity, and short-term performance expectations. Even without formal confirmation, Conte's refusal to dismiss the idea of a final match is a meaningful signal that increases uncertainty around Napoli's near-term outlook.
Conte's likely exit adds short-term uncertainty around Napoli, with the strongest effect on team stability rather than player availability.
Treat Conte's comments as a credible managerial-instability signal that may affect Napoli's motivation and tactical continuity, especially in the immediate match context.