Giovanni Manna, Napoli's sporting director, shared his reflections on the past and present of the club during an episode of the "Colpi da Maestro" podcast. In his interview he talked about both the coach who led the team in recent years, Antonio Conte, and the current occupant of the Italian bench, Massimiliano Allegri, highlighting the similarities and differences between the two professionals.
In Manna's account, Allegri is described as a man who "gives his all to the cause". The sporting director, who had the opportunity to work with Allegri already at Juventus, underlines his ability to motivate the team and build a strong group starting from the foundations. According to Manna, the goal is to model the team after him in order to achieve a successful season, even if "taking away some satisfaction" to achieve more ambitious results. Allegri's figure is seen as a precious resource for Napoli, capable of leading the club towards new goals.
As for Conte, Manna reveals that, when he moved to Napoli, his mind was occupied by two names: Gasperini and him. Conte's choice was motivated by the search for a partner with whom to work and share the vision. Manna recalls with satisfaction the period in which Conte led the team to win a historic championship, a result that left an indelible mark on the club. The sporting director also highlighted the importance of Conte's meticulousness, which contributed to raising the level of all the players. The decision to sell Kvaratskhelia, without replacing him, was seen as a difficult but necessary choice for the club's future.
Manna then underlined the need to have a "strong personality" after Antonio, a different figure but recognized by the team, the locker room and the president. The sporting director explained that the work is not interrupted: "this year is fine, but from next year we will have to start changing a bit", referring to the cycle started with Spalletti. In this context, Manna expressed confidence in Allegri, defining him as a man with a desire for revenge and to overcome the difficulties faced the previous year.
Finally, the podcast closed with a reflection on the future of Napoli. Manna reiterated the importance of maintaining a clear vision and continuing to build a competitive team, relying on professionals capable of leading the club towards new successes. With Allegri at the helm, Napoli is preparing to embark on a new season, with the aim of consolidating its position in Serie A and aiming for increasingly ambitious goals.