Key Takeaways:
- Conte and De Laurentiis will meet on the island of Ischia following the end of the 2025-26 season
- Conte is among the top candidates to become Italy national team head coach after Gattuso’s recent departure
- De Laurentiis has stated he would not prevent Conte from accepting the Italy role if approached
Upcoming Meeting Scheduled for Summer
Antonio Conte, currently at the helm of Napoli, remains a leading contender to take charge of the Italy national team. Reports from Thursday confirm that Conte and Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis have agreed to meet for key discussions about Conte’s future immediately after the 2025-26 campaign concludes.
The meeting is set to take place on the island of Ischia, scheduled shortly after Serie A’s final matches, which are due on 24 May.
Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis admits he’d allow Antonio Conte to become the Italy national team coach and backs Giovanni Malagò to become the new FIGC President: ‘The perfect person.’ pic.twitter.com/UtFuAhOxrX
— Football Italia (@footballitalia) April 7, 2026
Background: Italy’s Search for a New Manager
The Italian Football Federation is actively searching for a new head coach after Gennaro Gattuso mutually parted ways with the national side last week. Gattuso’s exit followed Italy’s World Cup play-off final defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina, a loss which denied the Azzurri a third consecutive spot at the tournament’s finals.
Conte, who previously led Italy as head coach from 2014 to 2016, tops the list of potential replacements. His current contract with Napoli extends just over a year more, making the upcoming negotiations especially significant for both club and country.
De Laurentiis Open to Conte’s Departure
Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis has made clear his willingness to let Conte leave the club should he choose to accept the Italy post: “If Antonio asked me, I think I’d say yes,”
Next Steps
The anticipated talks between Conte and De Laurentiis could play a decisive role in shaping both Napoli’s and Italy’s managerial futures. All eyes will be on Ischia at the close of the 2025-26 season as a new chapter for club and country potentially unfolds.
