Il Mattino: Milan coach Pioli in pole position for Napoli job

AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli reacts during the UEFA Europa League Last 16 first leg between AC Milan and Rennes at the San Siro Stadium in Milan. (Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP) (Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images)

According to Il Mattino newspaper, Milan coach Stefano Pioli is Aurelio De Laurentiis’ primary candidate for the Napoli job, while Antonio Conte ‘will remain a dream.’

Napoli are expected to hire a new boss in 2024-25 unless interim coach Francesco Calzona manages to earn a top-four finish this season.

According to Il Mattino, Fiorentina’s Vincenzo Italiano and Milan’s Stefano Pioli are the leading candidates for the role in the summer. However, the Rossoneri tactician ‘seems to be in pole position’ to take over at the Stadio Maradona in the summer.

Pioli’s Milan contract expires in June 2025, but growing reports in Italy suggest the Rossoneri will part company with the Parma-born tactician at the end of the season.

According to Il Mattino, Napoli won’t hire Antonio Conte who will ‘remain a dream for the Partenopei.

It is hardly surprising given that Conte has recently said he dreams of winning the Champions League, while Napoli may fail to qualify for any European competition this term.