Antonio Conte's 'revenge'! Napoli boss becomes top target for AC Milan & Juventus months after he was rejected by Serie A giants

Reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport suggest that Conte has become the leading managerial candidate for both Milan and Juventus ahead of the 2025-26 season, despite being overlooked by both clubs just last summer. Conte’s current project at Napoli has quickly revived the team’s fortunes, lifting them from a disappointing 10th-place finish last season to second in the Serie A table, just three points behind leaders Inter.

The renewed interest from Milan and Juventus has been described as a form of ‘revenge’ for Conte, given that he was turned down last summer. Former Milan star Zlatan Ibrahimovic, now an advisor to the club’s ownership group RedBird Capital, even suggested that Conte was not the right fit for the Rossoneri. Conte fired back last summer, insisting that his strong leadership and outspoken nature might not appeal to everyone. Since then, both clubs have undergone managerial changes. Milan dismissed Paulo Fonseca and appointed Sergio Conceicao in December, while Juventus parted ways with Thiago Motta, bringing in Igor Tudor in March.

Milan’s CEO Giorgio Furlani is currently in discussions with Fabio Paratici about taking over as the club’s sporting director, according to reports from Sky Sport Italia. If Paratici were to join Milan, his long-standing relationship with Conte could significantly increase the chances of a reunion at San Siro. The pair worked together successfully at Juventus between 2011 and 2014, winning three consecutive Serie A titles.

Despite speculation about his future, Conte remains focused on Napoli’s title push. The Partenopei have exceeded expectations under his leadership, making them serious contenders for the Scudetto. However, Napoli’s recent form has dipped, with the club managing just one win in their last seven Serie A games. This slump has seen them fall three points behind Inter Milan, making their upcoming clash against Milan on Sunday even more crucial.