A relay with history
Massimiliano Allegri hopes to repeat the formula that already worked at Juventus: take the team that Antonio Conte left and take it even further. The new Napoli coach was officially presented this Tuesday and signed for three seasons.
“I am inheriting a squad accustomed to hard work,” declared Allegri in his first press conference. “Conte proved his worth. This is the second time I’ve taken his place; let’s hope it bodes well.”
What Conte left and what is coming
Conte left the Neapolitan bench in May after two years in which he won the Scudetto and came second. Allegri, fired from Milan at the end of the previous season, is now looking for revenge.
“It will be important to lay the foundations to reach March while still fighting for Serie A, the Champions League and the Italian Cup,” he added.
Allegri’s time at Juventus speaks for itself: five consecutive league titles, four Italian Cups and two Champions League finals. But his departure from Milan was bitter. The team fell to fifth place after a streak of two wins in eight games, despite having been in first place almost the entire campaign.
“It’s not a question of redemption. I’m disappointed because for the first time in my career I finished outside the top four. It weighed on me,” he acknowledged.
When Milan owner Gerry Cardinale introduced successor Ruben Amorim, he said he preferred a coach who plays to win and not not to lose. Allegri avoided controversy:
“I do not comment on the board’s words. I thank those who supported me. We regret the unmet objectives, but another beautiful year begins, with great enthusiasm.”
With Napoli, Allegri will try to show that his cycle in Milan was just a setback.
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Note: The information comes from the press conference on July 5 and the official announcement of the club.
