Antonio Conte ‘is keen to take over at Napoli this summer’ with the former Tottenham boss ‘top of the list to replace under-fire Rudi Garcia’ after poor start to the season from the Serie A champions

Antonio Conte has been linked with a swift return to management after being sacked by Tottenham earlier this year, with Napoli believed to have made him their priority should they part ways with Rudi Garcia. 

Despite storming to the Serie A title last year and reaching the Champions League quarter finals, Napoli could be close to parting with a second manager since the end of the 2022-23 campaign. 

Luciano Spalletti had led the Partenopei to their historic success last term, but parted ways with the southern Italian club not long after. 

Napoli then brought in Rudi Garcia to take over, but after a shaky start for the reigning Italian champions, he is already coming under increasing pressure at the helm. 

As such, a number of names have been linked with the club as they continue to consider their options, but Conte’s name has emerged as one thought to be high up on the list of ideal successors. 

Rudi Garcia has had a poor start to life at the southern Italian side with only four wins in the league

Owner Aurelio De Laurentiis has already hinted that Garcia is evidently struggling, admitting that the Frenchman ‘isn’t in a good moment’. 

However he also confirmed that the club would take their time when considering whether to take action, and made it clear that fans’ opinions would not sway the club’s decision. 

According to Sky Italy, a meeting took place on Monday between De Laurentiis, Garcia and a number of other higher-ups at Napoli, where it is thought that Garcia’s suitability for the role was discussed. 

It is thought that whether or not the club take action and remove him from his post is largely dependant on who they bring in to replace him, with Conte just one of a number of options. 

As well as the Italian, ex-Marseille boss Igor Tudor and former Brighton and Chelsea manager Graham Potter are also thought to be in contention. 

But Conte is thought to be the clear favourite, having reportedly been considered for the role even before it was handed to Garcia. 

Conte is believed to be keen to return to management, and is also reportedly open to meeting with De Laurentiis and Napoli officials in order to discuss the project at the Partenopei, and see whether an early agreement can be made. 

Having set the tone domestically in Italy last season, Napoli have only won four of their first eight Serie A games this season, losing two and drawing two in a stop-start opening salvo for 2023-24.  

Conte has not managed since departing Tottenham under acrimonious circumstances last term

Frenchman Garcia is thought to have held talks with higher-ups at Napoli on Monday