Conte bids farewell as Napoli finish second

Denmark international striker Rasmus Højlund scored the only goal of the match in the 24th minute from a pass by veteran Belgium international playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, as Napoli strengthened their hold on second place with 76 points, 11 behind champions Inter Milan, who drew 3-3 away to Bologna on Saturday.

Conte, who appeared highly emotional during his press conference and previously managed Juventus, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, said: “It was an honour, and something extremely important, for me to coach Napoli. I thank president Aurelio De Laurentiis and the supporters who understood me (...) These were two wonderful seasons and an exceptional experience.”

Under his leadership, Napoli won the Serie A title in the 2024–2025 season — the fourth in the club’s history — finished runners-up this season, and also lifted the most recent Italian Super Cup. However, the club exited the UEFA Champions League this year during the league phase.

According to Italian media, Conte is among the candidates to take charge of the Italy national team, which is set to miss the next World Cup for the third consecutive time.

The former Italy coach previously managed the Azzurri between 2014 and 2016, but the appointment of a new national team manager will reportedly be delayed until after the election of the new Italian football federation president on 22 June.

Como and Roma reach Champions League

Como qualified for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in their history, joining Roma in the top four, while giants AC Milan and Juventus failed to secure places in Europe’s premier club competition during a dramatic final day overshadowed by crowd trouble.

Como’s emphatic 4-1 away victory over relegated Cremonese, combined with Milan’s surprise 2-1 home defeat against Cagliari, completed an extraordinary journey for the club, which climbed from the lower divisions to Europe’s elite.

Spain’s Jesús Rodríguez (36), Greece’s Anastasios Douvikas (51), and France’s Lucas Da Cunha (74 penalty, 81) scored for Como, while Federico Bonazzoli netted Cremonese’s goal from the penalty spot in the 55th minute. Cremonese finished the match with 10 men after midfielder Alberto Grassi was sent off in the 71st minute.

Managed by Spaniard Cesc Fàbregas, Como finished fourth, two points behind Roma, who secured third place with a 2-0 win over relegated Verona through goals from Dutch forward Donyell Malen (56) and Stephan El Shaarawy (90+3), ending the club’s lengthy absence from the Champions League.

Fàbregas said: “This achievement matches all my achievements because of how we accomplished it and who we achieved it with, because we did it with very young players, most of whom are under 23 years old. This is incredible.”

Roma had not featured in Europe’s leading club competition since being eliminated by Porto in the round of 16 in 2019. Finishing inside the top four is regarded as a major success for coach Gian Piero Gasperini and the American Friedkin family, owners of the club.