Antonio Conte is reportedly set for critical discussions with Napoli’s hierarchy after Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Bologna added further pressure on the embattled head coach.

This scenario has become familiar for Conte. Time and again, he joins a new club, sparks immediate results—sometimes even winning a title—and by the second season, finds himself in the midst of a crisis. Napoli are now experiencing the latest iteration of this pattern.

Conte took charge of Napoli last season when the club had no European commitments, focusing solely on Serie A—and led them to the Scudetto.

However, Napoli currently sit fourth in the league. The loss in Bologna marked their fifth defeat of the season across all competitions and extended their goalless run to three matches.

Italian journalist Matteo Moretto has reported that Conte is expected to meet the club’s board as speculation mounts over his future. Napoli insider Carlo Alvino, however, claims no such meeting is planned, as Conte is in Turin with his family.

Criticism of the Club

Speculation over Conte’s future has intensified after his candid post-match remarks against Bologna.

“Bologna showed passion, enthusiasm, and heart, while we melted away at the first negative moment,” Conte said.

“Five defeats since the start of the season are too many for a team labelled as a clear favourite for the title. Sorry to bring up skeletons from the past, but after winning the third Scudetto, Napoli then finished tenth. That should have been a lesson,” he added.

Conte did not shy away from holding everyone accountable. “We must do something. I don’t want to accompany a dead man. If we want to do something together, fine; otherwise, we all have to take responsibility. I always do. I don’t like what I’m seeing, and eventually, I’m the first to take responsibility.”

Transfer Frustrations

Conte’s criticisms follow earlier remarks about Napoli’s summer transfer activity, which he felt disrupted team balance after a 6-2 Champions League defeat to PSV.

“Nine new signings were too many; we lost the balance. I warned this year would be difficult, because some things take time to absorb,” Conte said. Among those arrivals were Rasmus Hojlund from Manchester United and Kevin De Bruyne, who is currently sidelined with an injury.

This is not the first time Conte has clashed with a club over transfers. At Juventus and Inter, he publicly criticized the lack of investment, even labeling Inter a “downsized project” before leaving. Similarly, at Chelsea, he struggled when the club failed to pursue his preferred targets.

Whether these issues will prompt Conte’s departure just months after lifting the Scudetto, or if he will once again revive a struggling squad, remains to be seen.