Report Allegri had dinner with Napoli director amid Milan tension

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Susy Campanale | Last updated May 21, 2026 9:43 AM ET

Reports continue to grow that Max Allegri is on the Napoli shortlist to take over from Antonio Conte, as director of sport Giovanni Manna is meeting the Milan coach for dinner.

Conte has dropped very heavy hints that he is leaving at the end of this season, and Sky Sport Italia note that a barbecue has been organised at the training ground to say goodbye to their boss.

While Maurizio Sarri is a primary candidate to replace him, the rumours around Allegri are growing fast, having already been in talks last summer before Conte decided to stay on.

Allegri targeted by Napoli again

GENOA, ITALY – MAY 17: Massimiliano Allegri, head coach of AC Milan, looks on prior to kick-off in the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and AC Milan at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on May 17, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)

With the tension sky high at Milan and uncertainty evident, Napoli are making a concerted effort to convince their coach to come to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

According to the Corriere della Sera newspaper, President Aurelio De Laurentiis sent director of sport Manna to Milan for a dinner meeting with Allegri over the last few days.

MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 08: AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri looks on during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Inter at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on March 08, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

They already worked together at Juventus, so know each other well, and the proposal was a similar two-year contract to the one that was already offered last summer.

While Milan are eager to keep Allegri, at least patron Gerry Cardinale is, the coach wants certain guarantees from the transfer market before accepting.

He is not prepared to remain if Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Giorgio Furlani continue to dominate the strategy.

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

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