Breaking News: Ex-Chelsea and Tottenham manager Antonio Conte another new job confirmed 16 months after brutal sacking

Antonio Conte, a former manager of Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, has made a comeback to Serie A and management, accepting his first position after leaving Spurs.

Antonio Conte during his time as Tottenham Hotspur manager. (Image: Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

For the first time in fourteen months, former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte is back in the football managerial fold. Since the Spurs fired him in March of last year, the 54-year-old has not been in the dugout. He had been in command for 16 months.

Conte was named the next head coach of Napoli, his first position back in his home country of Italy since he guided Inter Milan to victory for the first time in eleven years in 2021. The Italian will have the responsibility of tending to the injured team, which underwent a grueling Scudetto defense, leaving their mark on history as the team with the poorest showing in the Italian crown defense.

Their search for top-flight success came to an end when Luciano Spalletti left on a high note in Naples, but Rudi Garcia, his replacement, only lasted four months before Walter Mazzarri took over with the team in fourth place. Eventually, they would collapse to a mid-table result.

Conte may lose key players Victor Osimhen and Kvicha Kvaratskhelia, who are rumored to be attracting interest from Premier League teams as well as clubs throughout Europe. His most recent Premier League dismissal occurred one week after his furious post-match tirade after their 3-3 draw with Southampton, where the North London team let a two-goal lead slip away in the last fifteen minutes of play.

After failing to duplicate the success he enjoyed at Stamford Bridge with Chelsea, Daniel Levy fired the Italian, becoming the 12th manager to be fired in his 20 years at Spurs. With a 65% win percentage in just two years, Conte guided the Blues to FA Cup and Premier League glory, but he was fired after they were unable to make it into the Champions League.

“Football is passion,” Conte wrote on social media following his dismissal from Spurs. “I want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone at Spurs who understood and shared my passionate coaching philosophy and enthusiasm for the game.

“A particular thanks to my fans, who have always encouraged and supported me; hearing their voices shout my name is something I will never forget. Our journey together is now over, and I hope the future holds nothing but the best for you, Antonio.”

Four straight losses were broken by the draw in March 2023, but the team was still in the Champions League spots. Levy had to handle the aftermath and make sure the team played elite European football. Spurs finally finished seventh, but the downturn persisted as interim manager Cristian Stellini was fired and Ryan Mason took over for the last stretch of the season.

Conte signed a three-year contract with Napoli on Wednesday, confirming the hiring. “I am extremely proud that Antonio Conte is the new coach of Napoli,” stated President Aurelio De Laurentiis.

“After the cycle that brought us the Scudetto last year concludes, after many seasons at the top of Italian football, I am confident that the essential refoundation can begin with Antonio, a top coach and a leader. A significant new chapter in Napoli’s history begins today.”