Napoli have unveiled Massimiliano Allegri as their new head coach, with the Italian signing a three-year contract at the Stadio Maradona weeks after his departure from Milan.
The Tuscan tactician was presented at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples on Tuesday alongside club president Aurelio De Laurentiis and directors Giovanni Manna and Andrea Chiavelli.
Italy job speculation dismissed
Allegri used the occasion to dismiss reports linking him with the Italy national team position. He insisted he held no discussions with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) prior to committing to Napoli.
“I haven’t had any contact about the [Italian] federation,” Allegri stated. “I’ve spoken to the [Napoli] president, and I was already close a few years ago.”
The comments address speculation that he was under consideration to replace Gennaro Gattuso. Allegri reached agreement with Napoli before Giovanni Malagò’s election as FIGC President on June 22.
Milan exit and Hojlund reunion
The appointment follows Allegri’s dismissal by Milan at the conclusion of the 2025-26 campaign, after the Rossoneri failed to qualify for the Champions League. Ruben Amorim has since taken charge at San Siro.
Allegri refused to engage with recent remarks from Milan owner Gerry Cardinale, who demanded a team that “plays to win” during Amorim’s unveiling.
“I absolutely do not comment on the ownership’s words,” Allegri said. “I can only thank those who have supported me all season.”
The 58-year-old did, however, express enthusiasm about working with striker Rasmus Hojlund, who joined Napoli from Manchester United last summer after Allegri’s Milan failed to secure the Danish international’s signature.
“I’m happy to coach him,” Allegri remarked. “Last season, I dodged him; this year I took him.”
Squad assessment and pre-season
Napoli begin pre-season training on Wednesday, and Allegri stressed he will assess his inherited squad before determining transfer requirements. He takes over a side that won both the Scudetto and Supercoppa Italiana under predecessor Antonio Conte during the past two years.
“The club takes care of the transfer market. Once I’ve seen the whole team, I’ll give some evaluations,” he explained. “With the director and the president, we will talk about how we can improve.”
Allegri also addressed the goalkeeper situation, noting that both Alex Meret and Vanja Milinkovic-Savic will compete for the starting role during pre-season. “Surely there will be hierarchies; there will be a first and a second choice,” he confirmed.
The former Juventus boss inherits a squad preparing to compete on three fronts this term, with Allegri targeting sustained challenges in the Scudetto race, Champions League and Coppa Italia.
“Staying in contention for the Scudetto, Champions League, and Coppa Italia would be important,” he said. “We start with great enthusiasm.”