Allegri confident he can again match Conte’s title-winning standard after taking over at Napoli

New Napoli coach Massimiliano Allegri is confident of successfully following in Antonio Conte’s footsteps.

After all, he’s done it before.

Allegri replaced Conte at Juventus in 2014, after Conte steered the Bianconeri to three Serie A titles. Allegri went on to win five straight at Juventus as well as guiding the team to four Italian Cup titles and two Champions League finals.

Conte left Napoli in May after two years in charge, during which his team finished first and second in the Italian league. Allegri, who was fired by AC Milan at the end of the season, was confirmed as his successor at the beginning of July and was given a three-year contract.

“I am inheriting a squad that is certainly accustomed to hard work,” Allegri said on Tuesday, in his first press conference as Napoli coach. “Conte has proven his worth throughout his career. I’m lucky, this is actually the second time I’ve inherited Antonio’s team — let’s hope it’s a good omen.

“It will be important to work with seriousness and professionalism, and above all to lay the groundwork for reaching March — as I always say that’s when seasons are decided — still in contention for all our objectives: Serie A, the Champions League, the Italian Cup.”

Allegri was fired by Milan after what the club’s owners deemed “an unequivocal failure” of a season. Despite spending much of the campaign in the top two positions and fighting for the title, a run of only two wins in Milan’s last eight matches dropped it to fifth on the last day of the season.

“It’s not a question of redemption; sometimes seasons just end a certain way. I’m disappointed by how things turned out last season,” Allegri said. “We were in the top three from Matchday 2 through Matchday 37; we only dropped out on the first and last matchdays, and the last one is the one that counts.

“I’m disappointed because, in all my time coaching — at Juventus and Milan — this was the first time I’ve finished outside the top four. And I won’t deny that it’s weighed on me.”

Milan replaced Allegri with Ruben Amorim, and at the Portuguese coach’s presentation team owner Gerry Cardinale referred to him as a coach who plays to win, rather than playing not to lose.

“I absolutely do not comment on the ownership’s words,” Allegri said. “I can only thank those who supported me all season.

“Then, unfortunately, we are sorry for the missed objectives, but another year begins, beautiful to experience, we have three competitions and we start with great enthusiasm.”

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer