Napoli's Coaching Change: Allegri's Arrival Sparks Uncertainty for McTominay and Hojlund
Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund face fresh uncertainty in Naples as Napoli prepare to move from Antonio Conte to Massimiliano Allegri – a decision that has already split the city.
Conte’s abrupt exit from the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona has opened the door for Allegri, the former Juventus and AC Milan coach, who has reportedly agreed a two-year deal to take charge. At 58, and recently sacked by Milan after missing out on Champions League qualification, he will not be out of work for long.
The welcome, though, is anything but unanimous.
Allegri in, protests online
Word of Allegri’s imminent arrival has triggered a backlash among sections of the Napoli support. Online campaigns have sprung up, with fans arguing that his profile and footballing philosophy clash with the club’s vision and identity.
They point to his last Serie A title, won in 2018 with Juventus, as a triumph from another era rather than a sign of current relevance. His most recent spell at Milan ended badly, followed by a sweeping overhaul at the club once he was dismissed. For a fanbase still intoxicated by the memory of their own recent Scudetto, the idea of Allegri feels to many like a step away from the bold, front-foot Napoli they want to see.
Yet the club’s hierarchy are pushing ahead. And that leaves two former Manchester United players right in the middle of the storm.
McTominay’s rise, and the Premier League noise
Scott McTominay has been one of Serie A’s surprise success stories since swapping Old Trafford for Naples in 2024. The Scotland international slotted into the heart of the side and drove Napoli to the Serie A title in his first campaign, quickly becoming a key figure and a symbol of their new spine.
That impact has not gone unnoticed. His form has sparked transfer speculation over a return to the Premier League, with clubs watching closely as uncertainty grows around the project he signed up for. Conte’s departure only cranks up the volume. A manager who trusted him is gone; a coach with a very different approach is on the way.
Does Allegri build around McTominay’s energy, late runs and physical presence? Or does the change in the dugout tempt the midfielder to look back across the Channel?
Hojlund’s future locked in
Alongside him, Rasmus Hojlund is on a different kind of path. The Danish striker joined Napoli on loan last season from Manchester United, hoping to help defend the Scudetto. That part of the mission failed. Napoli finished second, 11 points adrift of champions Inter Milan.
Even so, Hojlund’s future is already effectively decided. United inserted an obligation-to-buy clause in the deal, triggered by Napoli qualifying for the Champions League. With that condition met, his move to southern Italy is set to become permanent for £38 million.
The transfer has not yet been formally announced, but all expectations are that Hojlund will complete his switch in the coming weeks. Conte’s departure is not thought to affect the agreement; Napoli are committed, and the striker is poised to stay.
A new era, ready or not
So Napoli stand on the edge of another reset. Allegri, with his stack of Italian titles and his critics in full voice, is walking into a dressing room that already contains a title-winning McTominay and a big-money Hojlund about to be tied down.
For the two former United men, the picture is clear yet unstable: one thriving and attracting Premier League glances, the other locked into a long-term bet in a city that is not entirely convinced by its next coach.
Naples has never been a place for quiet seasons. Under Allegri, with McTominay’s future in the spotlight and Hojlund’s permanent move looming, it is about to get even louder.
