Massimiliano Allegri has officially taken charge of Napoli after being unveiled as the club’s new head coach on Tuesday. The Italian begins his tenure as the Serie A runners-up commence pre-season training on Wednesday, facing the immediate challenge of managing a squad depleted by World Cup commitments.
Five Napoli players featured at the global tournament, but their return dates will be staggered based on their nations’ progress. Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay and Netherlands winger Noa Lang are set to be the first World Cup representatives back at the training ground, having both been eliminated during the opening stages.
Belgium duo Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne, who helped their country reach the quarter-finals, have been granted additional recovery time. The pair are scheduled to rejoin the squad on August 5.
Speaking at his unveiling, Allegri emphasised the importance of direct assessment. “Until I see and coach players,” he stated, “making judgments from outside is always very difficult. We’ll leave with whoever is available to start the work.”
Staggered Returns
Uruguay defender Mathias Olivera also represented Napoli at the World Cup alongside McTominay, Lang, Lukaku and De Bruyne. While Olivera similarly exited during the early rounds, the club has confirmed only that McTominay and Lang will lead the return of the international contingent.
The delayed arrivals mean Allegri will initially work with a reduced group as he implements his tactical approach. The coach inherits a side that finished second in the 2025-26 Serie A campaign under predecessor Antonio Conte, who departed after securing the Scudetto and Supercoppa Italiana during his two-year tenure.
Pre-Season Priorities
Allegri’s immediate focus will be on evaluating the players available from day one, including the early-returning McTominay and Lang. The former Manchester United midfielder and PSV winger will have an opportunity to impress the new manager ahead of the Belgium internationals’ return next month.
The Partenopei will need to balance fitness management with tactical preparation as their World Cup participants reintegrate at different stages. With Lukaku and De Bruyne granted nearly three weeks’ additional rest compared to their teammates, Napoli’s medical and coaching staff will monitor their conditioning carefully ahead of the new campaign.