Conte is the first pick to replace Garcia at Napoli

Only eight rounds have passed in Serie A, and Napoli are already trailing after the leader AC Milan by seven points. The championship race could be over very soon for the current champion of Italy, if something doesn't change drastically.

The management of Napoli, led by boss Aurelio de Laurentiis, discussed the fate of coach Rudi Garcia today, but did not make any concrete decision.

De Laurentiis is hard on the wallet, so he will not be so easy to decide to hand the sack to a coach who has a valid contract until the summer of 2025. He is not stoked about the scenario where he has to pay both the dismissed and the new head of the profession.

But the potential successors of Rudy Garcia were discussed at the meeting. And as the Italian Sky reports, in the "pole position" is Antonio Conte, who is the old desire of the boss of Napoli, but their paths have never crossed until now. The former Chelsea manager has been free since March when he parted ways with Tottenham, so there are no obstacles to his signing now. Of course, provided that the Neapolitans decide to replace the coach.

But Conte will not be a very cheap option either, far from it. So, if the two sides fail to agree, option B is Igor Tudor. He is a much more affordable variant, and he had great results with Verona and later Marseille.

The problem for Napoli, however, is not only in the coaching position, but also sparks in the relationship of the club's management with the first star Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia is also far below last season's level of play... And all of that has to fall together in order for the Italian champion to start running again to defend the title. If it's not - it will be too late by then.