Allegri's Napoli arrival clashes with Lukaku's looming exit

Massimiliano Allegri has been unveiled as Napoli's new head coach, with a contract that runs until 30 June 2029, while Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku appears set to leave the club after the World Cup. The appointment and the striker's likely exit highlight a season of contrasting fortunes for the Italian side. Napoli announced Allegri's arrival on Friday, confirming the former AC Milan manager will take charge from the start of the next campaign. The club's statement also noted the length of his deal, securing his services for four full seasons. Allegri, who was dismissed by AC Milan after the team failed to qualify for the Champions League, quickly found a new role, signing with Napoli without a prolonged period of unemployment. His departure from Milan came after a season that ended without European qualification.

Napoli's new era: Allegri appointed to steer club until 2029

The Napoli communiqué traced Allegri's career from his playing days, which included a spell at Napoli in the 1997/98 season, to his first coaching role at Aglianese in 2003/04. It highlighted his 2007/08 achievements with Sassuolo – promotion to Serie B and a Supercoppa di Serie C1 – followed by a Serie A debut with Cagliari, where he finished ninth and earned the Panchina d'Oro award. In 2010 Allegri guided AC Milan to its 18th Scudetto and secured a sixth Supercoppa Italiana. Between 2014 and 2019 he steered Juventus to five consecutive league titles, four straight Coppa Italia trophies, two Supercoppa Italiana wins and two Champions League final appearances.

Napoli chase stability with Allegri's long-term appointment

After a two‑year hiatus, Allegri returned to Juventus, adding a fifth Coppa Italia in 2024, and then spent the most recent season back at AC Milan, where the club finished fifth in Serie A. Napoli concluded its announcement with a warm welcome: “Welcome to our new coach, Max Allegri!” The statement also confirmed that Belgian internationals Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku will now work under Allegri for the coming season, but it noted that Lukaku seems poised for a departure after the World Cup.