Napoli fans can breathe a sigh of relief, at least for now. Club president Aurelio De Laurentiis has moved to shut down swirling speculation linking manager Antonio Conte with a sensational return to the Italian national team.

The Italy job is vacant after Gennaro Gattuso's resignation, a move that followed the Azzurri's shocking failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. With the federation in a state of flux, Conte—who previously managed Italy from 2014 to 2016—has emerged as a top candidate to lead the rebuild.

However, De Laurentiis is having none of it. In a recent interview, the outspoken president expressed unwavering confidence in Conte's commitment to Napoli, praising the manager's professionalism and the contract that binds him to the club. "Antonio Conte is a very serious man," De Laurentiis stated. "He has a contract with me. He will never abandon me at the last minute."

De Laurentiis did acknowledge a potential path for Conte's departure, but only under strict conditions. He emphasized that Conte would need to provide immediate notice, giving the club crucial time during April and May to secure a high-caliber replacement and plan for the future.

The manager's future remains a key storyline in Naples. Conte, who delivered a historic Serie A title last season, has one year left on his current deal, with no extension yet signed. While Napoli's title defense has fallen short this campaign, the project under Conte's intense, demanding style is far from over, and the president is clearly betting on his manager to see it through.