Serie A Giants Identify Maurizio Sarri as Their First Choice | OneFootball

Lazio head coach Maurizio Sarri has emerged as the favorite to replace Antonio Conte should the latter decide to leave Napoli at the end of the season.

The Background

The Tuscan tactician still has another two years on his contract with the Italian capital side. However, it remains unclear whether he and the hierarchy will opt to move forward together after all the turmoil that ensued throughout the campaign.

Sarri voiced his frustration with Claudio Lotito and the top brass on several occasions, and even sided with the fans in the ongoing protest against the incresingly unpopular club president. For his part, Lotito never shied away from responding to the manager’s blunt comments, insisting that he remains the one in charge at Formello.

Will Maurizio Sarri Leave Lazio?

Sarri and Lotito are expected to hold crucial talks in the coming weeks, potentially after the Coppa Italia final and the Derby della Capitale, which could yield a final decision on the manager’s future. In the meantime, several Italian clubs are said to be interested in the 67-year-old manager, and chief among them are his former employers, Napoli.

Napoli Will Try to Sign Sarri if Antonio Conte Departs

Like Lazio, the Partenopei remain unsure whether or not their collaboration with Conte will continue beyond the summer, especially with the Salentian manager heavily linked with the vacant Italian national team job. Earlier reports claimed that Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis called Sarri to enquire about his availability.

And now, two of Italy’s most reliable journalists have confirmed that Sarri will be Napoli’s first choice to fill in for Conte. Gianluca Di Marzio delved into the situation during his podcast ‘Caffè Di Marzio’ (via La Lazio Siamo Noi).

Alfredo Pedulla added further confirmation to the news, insisting that the current Lazio boss is indeed the first name on Napoli’s managerial shortlist.