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NAPLES, ITALY – APRIL 06: Massimiliano Allegri AC Milan head coach reacts during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and AC Milan at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on April 06, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Multiple sources claim that Massimiliano Allegri will switch to a 4-3-3 system at Napoli with Scotland international Scott McTominay once again deployed as a box-to-box midfielder.
Former Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri is expected to sign a two-year contract with Napoli, replacing Antonio Conte at the Stadio Maradona.
Several sources in Italy, including Corriere dello Sport, Gazzetta and Sky Sport Italia, claim that Allegri will switch to a 4-3-3 system after the Partenopei ended the season with a 3-4-2-1 formation.
Allegri also deployed a three-man defence during his 2025-26 campaign at Milan, but throughout his career, he’s often favoured a four-man defence.
Rasmus Hojlund will be the main centre-forward, with Lorenzo Lucca returning from Nottingham Forest and Romelu Lukaku as the back-up options.
The central midfield seems set with Stanislav Lobotka, Kevin De Bruyne and Scott McTominay. The Scotland international is expected to be deployed as a box-to-box midfielder, like in his first season at the Stadio Maradona.
During the 2025-26 campaign, the Scottish star played both as a left winger, creating space for De Bruyne down the middle, and as a central midfielder in recent months, partnering Lobotka.
Frank-Zambo Anguissa is also an option for Allegri and the type of player the Tuscan tactician appreciates, yet the Cameroon international had a poor end to the season after returning from a lengthy injury.
Amir Rrahmani and Italy international Alessandro Buongiorno are expected to be the starting Napoli centre-backs under Allegri.
Naturally, there will be new signings over the summer transfer window, so the starting line-up might change, but Allegri is likely to start with a 4-3-3 system.
Furthermore, Corriere dello Sport reports that Napoli may make only minor transfer moves unless some big players leave, with Allegri assessing those returning from loan, such as Lucca and Noa Lang, who had failed to settle in under Conte.
Napoli’s possible Napoli XI via Gazzetta
ByLorenzo Bettoni
Lorenzo Bettoni is the Editor of Football Italia.
