Former Chelsea and Tottenham boss makes himself available for next manager role

Former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur head coach Antonio Conte is thought to be seeking a return to management. According to recent reports, he is targeting the Napoli job, as the Azzurri hierarchy consider the future of Rudi Garcia [via Calciomercato].

Garcia took over at Napoli after former head coach, Luciano Spalletti, left the club to take the vacant Italy national manager job following the sacking of Roberto Mancini. Spalletti led Napoli to their first Serie A title since 1990 last season - however, his successor has thus far failed to replicate his success, as the Italian giants currently find themselves fifth in the Serie A table.

With Garcia’s job reportedly dangling by a thread, Napoli are considering potential candidates to take his place - with Conte touted as their preferred target.

Who else is in the frame for the Napoli job?

While Conte is believed to be the preferred candidate for the manager’s job at Napoli, he isn’t the only head coach that Gli Azzurri have been linked with amid the uncertainty surrounding Garcia’s position. According to Foot Mercato, another former Chelsea boss, Graham Potter, is being considered as Garcia’s successor. In addition to this, Igor Tudor and Marcelo Gallardo are also thought to be in the running.

Could Antonio Conte return to the Premier League in the future?

Never say never - but after Conte’s failure at the Spurs helm, it seems that he will not be returning to the Premier League any time soon. In truth, the Premier League has largely moved on from Conte’s rigid, defensive style of play. While it was a popular tactic in the 2000s, applied successfully by coaches such as Jose Mourinho, it has since been usurped by a high-pressing gegenpress philosophy.

As such, clubs in England’s top flight are likely to turn their attention to younger managers with a propensity for high-tempo, attacking football - as opposed to coaches such as Conte, who provides the antithesis of this.