Allegri looking to build on Conte success
Massimiliano Allegri has vowed to build on the solid foundations laid at Napoli by Antonio Conte and stressed his desire to compete on all fronts next season.
Allegri was officially unveiled as Napoli's coach on Wednesday, having put pen to paper on a three-year deal earlier this month after his sacking at AC Milan.
The 58 year-old comes in to replace Conte, who led Napoli to the Scudetto in 2024-2025.
Conte oversaw a second-placed finish last season, though its 76 points were the fewest ever collected by one of his teams in a Serie A season.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis stressed the need for consistency in the club's next appointment and decided to appoint Allegri, who has won 14 trophies throughout his managerial career, two with Milan and 12 with Juventus – where he has also had two separate stints.
It is the second time Allegri has inherited a side managed by Conte, having also done at Juventus in 2014, and he hopes that he can enjoy similar success in Naples.
"For me, this unveiling is too much. It's the first time it has happened to me, and I thank the president," Allegri said, as quoted by Football Italia.
"Antonio Conte has shown all his worth in his career. I'm lucky. This is already the second time I've inherited Antonio's team. Let's hope it bodes well. Luck is important in life.
"It will be important to work seriously and professionally, especially to find the foundations to get to March. As I always say, seasons are decided there.
"Staying in contention for the Scudetto, Champions League, and Coppa Italia would be important."
After leading Milan to the Scudetto in 2010-2011, Allegri oversaw a run of five consecutive league titles with Juve, while he also won five Coppa Italia crowns with the Bianconeri, one of which came in his second stint in 2023-24.
However, his second spell at Milan underwhelmed. The Rossoneri finished fifth in Serie A, just a single point behind Como.
Milan's 70 points were the most it has ever earned in a Serie A season while finishing outside the top four, but that was not enough to save Allegri.
After Allegri's departure from Milan, he was immediately targeted as the man to replace Conte, though he was also reportedly considered for the vacant Italy head coach role.
Italy is on the hunt for a new boss after Gennaro Gattuso, who has since joined Lazio, was sacked after the Azzurri failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup.
However, Allegri rubbished rumours of having any conversations about the position, saying: "I haven't had any contact with the [Italian] federation.
"I've spoken to the [Napoli] president, and I was already close a few years ago. I'm happy to work with him, with all of Napoli.
"I have players who can play with multiple systems; the important thing is to have enthusiasm and a desire to achieve goals through sacrifice and hard work.
"And, as I said, I believe I inherit a team that has these qualities."
Napoli will open its 2026-2027 campaign with a trip to Genoa, before going into a tough double-header against Cesc Fabregas's Como and champion Inter.
