Conte warns Napoli need to completely rebuild from the ground up

Napoli aims to recover from a lackluster Serie A season, in which they finished in 10th place, but must moderate their expectations as they embark on a rebuilding phase, according to manager Antonio Conte (55) on Saturday.

Conte assumed his role in June, following a tumultuous season that saw Napoli cycle through three different managers. After clinching the Scudetto under Luciano Spalletti in 2023, the team subsequently failed to secure a spot in European competitions.

Having previously secured four Serie A titles with Juventus and Inter Milan, as well as a Premier League title with Chelsea, Conte is calling for patience from both the club and its supporters as they prepare for the upcoming season.

"Our guiding principle is to give 200%; we must all strive to exceed our limits, as this is a pivotal moment for Napoli; the president has mentioned the need for reconstruction," Conte stated to the media ahead of their opening match against Verona on Sunday.

"I have conducted my evaluations and fully concur with him; a comprehensive reconstruction is necessary, starting from the foundation.

"A team that places 10-12 players on the market indicates that a reconstruction is in progress, and like any rebuilding effort, it requires patience and humility."

When Conte took the helm at Juventus in 2011, the club had finished seventh the prior season, yet he swiftly led them to three consecutive league titles. However, he does not anticipate a similarly rapid turnaround at Napoli.

"I had hoped for a more favorable situation, with positive developments, which is why I initially stated that even after such a disappointing year, we should not discard everything but rather identify any positive aspects," Conte remarked.

"I anticipated positive developments, but I struggled to find them. However, there are 9-10 departures.

"We are not claiming to be starting from scratch, but we are very close to that point. This does not intimidate me, but it is essential to be transparent; when there is an understanding of reality, one can better navigate the challenges ahead."

Conte refrained from commenting on Victor Osimhen, who is anticipated to be excluded from the lineup for the match against Verona, as the Nigerian striker is likely to depart from the club in this transfer window. He cautioned that restoring Napoli to a position of competitiveness would require time.

"I cannot specify the duration it will take for Napoli to regain its competitive edge, whether it be six months, a year, or two years; I am unable to provide an answer," Conte stated.

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