Conte takes fresh Napoli break during international duty | OneFootball

Antonio Conte is continuing his tradition of taking time off during the break for international duty, leaving Napoli training to assistant Cristian Stellini.

The coach had started doing this in November 2025 and felt it was beneficial for him to decompress, but also to give his players some time without his notoriously intense presence.

“It is commonplace in England, Chelsea and Tottenham both allowed me to do this,” Conte had said earlier this season.

“Seeing as for four months we play non-stop, I had this agreement with the club to take the pressure off. It is a breather both for me and those who remain behind at Castelvolturno.”

Conte takes time out from Napoli

NAPLES, ITALY – JANUARY 31: Miguel Gutierrez of SSC Napoli celebrates with his head coach Antonio Conte and Juan Jesus after scoring his side second goal during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on January 31, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

During the break for international duty and with so much of the squad therefore off around the world, Conte has returned to his family’s base in Turin for a few days.

He has left Napoli training for those who are still present in the capable hands of his long-term assistant Stellini.

ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 04: Adam Marusic of SS Lazio reacts wiith Antonio Conte and Pasquale Mazzocchi of SSC Napoli during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and SSC Napoli at Stadio Olimpico on January 04, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

Napoli have sent Alex Meret, Alessandro Buongiorno, Leonardo Spinazzola and Matteo Politano to the Italy squad for the World Cup play-offs, starting against Northern Ireland on March 26.

Also absent to represent their countries are Rasmus Hojlund, Stanislav Lobotka, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Scott McTominay, Billy Gilmour, Vanja Milinkovic-Savic and Mathias Olivera.