Calzona: "I support Napoli, but rate Conte over Chivu" | OneFootball

Francesco Calzona, head coach of Slovakia and former coach of Napoli, gave a lengthy interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport, focusing not only on his current role with the national team but also on the Scudetto race in Italy.

Slovakia, Calzona between national team and Serie A: “I support Napoli, but I say Conte ahead of Chivu”

Napoli at heart, but impartial analyses

Calzona does not hide his connection with the blue colors: “Can a coach support a team? Yes, it's permissible. And I've never hidden that Napoli represents a feeling. However, the analyses remain honest, it would be a problem if they weren't. And I say Conte ahead of Chivu, for many reasons. First of all, De Laurentiis did the best market, because he enriched the squad by acquiring what was needed to be truly great.”

Conte versus Chivu: the details of the challenge

According to the coach, the fight at the top will be tight, but with a slight advantage for the Neapolitans: “Are they close? Certainly. They are close because Inter remains full of talent. But the years are starting to show in various players. Manna has acquired, apart from De Bruyne, with an eye to the future: another cycle is opening, entrusted to a coach who knows how to win and will want to do it again.”

Future in Italy?

Calzona does not close the door to a possible return to Italian football: “Am I tempted? I would be lying if I said no, but I am serious and now my thoughts are only for Slovakia. By nature, I am open to new experiences. But in twenty days the national teams are back on the field, I must immediately get into the role.”

Regarding the contract, the coach clarified: “It is expiring, but it renews automatically if we go to America. We don't make predictions or calculations. I have been offered a renewal by the Federation, but I preferred to postpone the decision.”

A career between present and future

Calzona remains focused on his commitments with Slovakia but does not rule out a return to Serie A in the future. In the meantime, he closely observes the Scudetto race, with a special regard for Napoli, a club he continues to consider an important part of his personal and professional history.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.