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Antonio Conte has been without a job since leaving Napoli and talk around Manchester United is growing.

The Italian won the Scudetto in his first season with the Partenopei, then helping them to a second-placed finish in the 2025/26 campaign. It was a clear improvement on his spell at Tottenham and it is evident Conte is one of the best managers in Italy right now.

In recent weeks, there have been suggestions that he is open to returning to management. Manchester United, along with Juventus, have been mentioned as possible options for him.

Conte top of wishlist

Calciomercato IT insist that Conte is indeed an option for Manchester United, if Michael Carrick is sacked this season.

In fact, it’s stated he is at the top of their shortlist and is, as a result, in pole position to become the next manager.

Manchester United have also made initial contact to assess his availability, as uncertainty around Carrick’s situation grows.

Importantly enough, Juventus are in a much better position than they were two weeks ago. They have put two wins on the board, reducing pressure on Luciano Spalletti, ruling out the idea of Conte returning to Turin in the near future. This also plays a role in making a move to Old Trafford more likely.

Conte would jump at chance

Antonio Conte
Rome, Italy – January 4, 2026: (C) Adam Marusic of Lazio argue with (R) Pasquale Mazzocchi of Napoli. Antonio Conte coach of Napoli divides them during the Serie A Enilive 2025-2026 football match between S.S. Lazio vs SSC Napoli at Olympic Stadium.

Manchester United were linked with a move for Conte even when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer lost his job. The Italian was keen on the hot-seat at that point too. All things considered, he would be very interested in a move.

The Red Devils might have to rethink the decision. The squad remains unsuited to playing a back-three. Coincidentally, Ruben Amorim himself was appointed in the middle of the season and the squad’s unsuitability to his setup ended up costing him his job.

Besides, Carrick remains the manager and he will still get some more games to turn things around.

Sport Witness would also like to point out that Conte doesn’t appear to be the type of manager the current Manchester United board would go for. His endless confrontational character would bring drama to a club which can’t go days without it.

With that in mind, it’s worth considering the veracity of this. Additionally, whether it’s Conte’s camp pushing him name out.

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