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NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND – MAY 24: Andoni Iraola, Manager of AFC Bournemouth, looks on after the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth at the City Ground on May 24, 2026 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Cameron Smith/Getty Images)
Vincenzo Italiano, a candidate for the Napoli job, admits he may leave Bologna, while La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Aurelio De Laurentiis is also interested in Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola.
Napoli are assessing their option after their coach, Antonio Conte, confirmed his departure from the Stadio Maradona on Sunday.
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The Italian tactician spent two seasons at Napoli, winning the Scudetto in 2024-25 and the 2025-26 Supercoppa Italiana.
Iraola among the candidates for Napoli job
According to Gazzetta, Milan’s Massimiliano Allegri and Bologna’s Italiano remain the leading Napoli candidates to replace Conte, but De Laurentiis is also monitoring Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola.
Gazzetta reports that Maurizio Sarri’s return was ADL’s top choice, but the Lazio coach is expected to pick Atalanta instead, reuniting with ex-Partenopei director Cristiano Giuntoli in Bergamo.
In the meantime, Italiano has confirmed that he might leave Bologna after failing to qualify for Europe this season.
“There’s a chance that I won’t stay; I can’t deny that. As you know, I’ll meet the club, and we’ll talk,” Italiano told Repubblica.
“I want to return to Europe. I live to give emotions and happiness to people, like last season. Bologna have the right philosophy for programming and optimising everything, avoiding some of the mistakes we’ve made to build a team that could return to Europe without needing miracles. Bologna have expectations, and you’ve got to be transparent with the fans.”
Asked about Napoli’s interest, Italiano replied: “I don’t know. They are assessing many coaches. They might have respect for the work they have done over the years, but I don’t know what to say.”
Italiano is under contract with Bologna until 2027. The same is true of Milan’s Allegri, who faces an uncertain future at San Siro after failing to qualify for the Champions League.
De Laurentiis briefly talked about Conte’s replacement during a press conference on Sunday: “We have a strong team and many players coming back. Perhaps, they had shortcomings for Conte’s style of play, but they might fit in well under a new coach.”
ByLorenzo Bettoni
Lorenzo Bettoni is the Editor of Football Italia.
