PARMA, ITALY - APRIL 12: Antonio Conte, head coach of Napoli SSC looks on during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and SSC Napoli at Stadio Ennio Tardini on April 12, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)
PARMA, ITALY - APRIL 12: Antonio Conte, head coach of Napoli SSC looks on during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and SSC Napoli at Stadio Ennio Tardini on April 12, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)
Reports in Italy are growing that Antonio Conte is the favourite to replace Michael Carrick on the Manchester United bench, if INEOS decide to make a change.
The tactician has been a free agent since the summer, when he terminated his contract with Napoli by mutual consent a year early.
In those two seasons, he won the Serie A title and the Supercoppa Italiana, always finishing in the top two, but performances in Europe were deeply disappointing.
Manchester United target Conte
PISA, ITALY - MAY 17: Antonio Conte manager of SSC Napoli reacts during the Serie A match between Pisa SC and SSC Napoli at Arena Garibaldi on May 17, 2026 in Pisa, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
PISA, ITALY – MAY 17: Antonio Conte manager of SSC Napoli reacts during the Serie A match between Pisa SC and SSC Napoli at Arena Garibaldi on May 17, 2026 in Pisa, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Calciomercato note that Conte is the hot favourite in the Manchester United hierarchy to steer them out of trouble after just two wins, two draws and three defeats in all competition this season.
Conte has also been linked with Juventus and Milan, although Luciano Spalletti and Ruben Amorim have since taken some of the pressure off with strong results going into the break for international duty.
FLORENCE, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 13: Antonio Conte manager of SSC Napoli celebrates after scoring a goal with Rasmus Hojlund of SSC Napoli during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and SSC Napoli at Artemio Franchi on September 13, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
FLORENCE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 13: Antonio Conte manager of SSC Napoli celebrates after scoring a goal with Rasmus Hojlund of SSC Napoli during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and SSC Napoli at Artemio Franchi on September 13, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
The 57-year-old is no stranger to English football, as he won the Premier League with Chelsea in 2017, along with the FA Cup, five Serie A titles and two editions of the Supercoppa Italiana.
His second spell in the Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur was less successful and ended prematurely in March 2023.