Mourinho to Napoli? Phone Conversation Sparks Speculation Between Mendes and De Laurentiis

Is Jose Mourinho set to take the helm at Napoli come June? That’s the rumour circulating, as reported by Sportmediaset, and it’s one that cannot be entirely dismissed. Following his dismissal from Roma, speculation over Mourinho’s future has taken various paths, and a possible move to Napoli is the latest conjecture.

Napoli is indeed looking for a new manager for the commencement of the new season in June, with Walter Mazzarri almost certainly departing the club. This necessitates a change of the guard, and Mourinho’s name appears to be in the mix.

According to Sportmediaset, there has been a phone conversation between the Portuguese manager’s agent Jorge Mendes and Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis to initiate discussions. However, the main stumbling block is Mourinho’s expected salary. The ‘Special One’ has reportedly demanded €7m, a figure De Laurentiis finds excessive.

Sportmediaset goes on to suggest that De Laurentiis might only extend such an economic stretch for Antonio Conte, the former coach of Juventus and Inter.

De Laurentiis’ focus for now though appears to be on the ongoing significant transfer campaign in the January window. “Discussions concerning the managerial position at Napoli will be deferred to the upcoming months,” he stated, underlining his priorities in this critical time.