Conte's Azzurri Itch: Napoli Gaffer Eyes Italy Return, Partenopei Give Nod

Imagine sinking a pint with your mates, chatting about the wild world of Italian football, when the bombshell drops: Antonio Conte might be packing his bags at Napoli for a second crack at the Italy job. Yeah, you heard that right. The man who turned the Azzurri into a penalty-shootout heartbreak machine back in the day is reportedly itching to return.

As reported by Lorenzo Bettoni at Football Italia, drawing from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Conte's no stranger to the national team gig. He led Italy from 2014 to 2016, guiding them to the Euro 2016 quarters before that gut-wrenching shootout loss to Germany. Fond memories linger, and with Gennaro Gattuso on the way out, the FIGC suits reckon the 56-year-old firebrand is the chap to reignite La Nazionale's spark.

Why Conte's Tempted – And Why It Makes Sense

Conte's Napoli deal runs until June 2027, but don't let that fool you. Sources say he's more than a bit keen on swapping Stadio Diego Armando Maradona for the blue shirts. Picture the scenes: intense touchline prowls, those finger-wagging rants, all in the name of national glory. The FIGC bigwigs are salivating at the thought – Conte's the top dog in their wishlist.

It's not just nostalgia. Italy's been on a rollercoaster since missing out on consecutive World Cups, and Conte's proven he can build winners. From Juventus dominance to Chelsea Premier League glory, the bloke's a serial success. Reviving the Azzurri? He'd relish it like a post-match espresso.

Napoli's Surprisingly Chill Stance

Here's the kicker: Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis isn't throwing a tantrum over it. Gazzetta whispers that his green light is a given, especially if Giovanni Malagò snags the FIGC presidency. No messy contract tug-of-war – De Laurentiis sees the prestige in letting his gaffer go international.

Think about it. Conte's been gesturing wildly in Naples, turning SSC Napoli into contenders, but the national team pull is massive. A summer exit? Napoli might even wave him off with a cheeky "arrivederci". It's rare to see club harmony in these sagas – credit where due, ADL's playing the long game.

Timeline, Rivals, and a Dash of Drama

Don't hold your breath just yet. A caretaker like Silvio Baldini will mind the shop for June friendlies. The real action kicks off post-June 22, when the new FIGC president gets voted in. Expect the Italy boss announcement around late June or early July – perfect timing for Conte to plot his Partenopei farewell.

Other names floating? Massimiliano Allegri swears he's loving life at Milan, happy as Larry at San Siro. Roberto Mancini? Dodgy vibes from his abrupt 2023 email resignation to jet off to Saudi Arabia. Conte's the frontrunner, no contest.

It's like a Serie A soap opera, innit? Conte pacing the touchline, dreaming of Wembley redemption or World Cup redemption. Napoli fans might grumble, but who'd deny the gaffer his Azzurri encore? As Bettoni notes, this one's got legs – keep your eyes peeled, lads. Italy football's about to get properly spicy.

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