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16 months after brutal sacking, Napoli appoint Conte as head coach

Former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte has returned to football management for the first time in 14 months. The 54-year-old has been away from the dugout since Spurs sacked him after 16 months in charge last March.

Conte has been appointed as the new Napoli head coach, the first role in his native Italy since leading Inter Milan to their first time in 11 years in 2021. The Italian will be tasked with patching up the wounded club, who endured a torrid defence of the Scudetto as they etched themselves in history after suffering the worst performance in defence of the Italian crown.

Luciano Spalletti departed on a high in Naples after ending their wait for top-flight success but his replacement, Rudi Garcia, lasted a mere four months before Walter Mazzarri replaced him with the club in fourth place. They would eventually topple to a mid-table finish.

Conte faces the risk of losing star players Victor Osimhen and Kvicha Kvaratskhelia who are reportedly subject to interest from Premier League and clubs around Europe. His latest Premier League dismissal came a week after his explosive post-match rant following their 3-3 draw away at Southampton after the North London club let a two-goal cushion slip in the final 15 minutes.

The Italian became the 12th sacking during Daniel Levy’s 20 years with Spurs as he failed to replicate the success he managed at Stamford Bridge with Chelsea. In two years, Conte led the Blues to Premier League and FA Cup success with a 65 percent win success rate but was dismissed after they failed to qualify for the Champions League.

“Football is passion,” said Conte in a social media post after his sacking by Spurs. “I would like to deeply thank everyone at Spurs who appreciated and shared my passion and my intense way of living football as a coach.

“A special thought to the Fans who always showed me support and appreciation, it’s been unforgettable to hear them singing my name. Our journey together has ended, I wish you all the best for the future – Antonio.”

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AFCON 2025: Yobo to serve as draw assistant

Former Super Eagles defender Joseph Yobo has been selected as one of the draw assistants for the final draw of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The draw ceremony is set to take place today at the Mohammed V National Theatre in Rabat, Morocco, where the 24 qualified teams will discover their paths to the trophy.

Yobo will be joined by other African football icons, including Mustapha Hadji, Serge Aurier, and Aliou Cisse.

The quartet will not only oversee the draw by selecting balls from the pots but will also share their insights on the tournament groups.

The 2025 AFCON finals will be hosted in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.

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Super Eagles will succeed under Eric Chelle – Sadiq Umar

Super Eagles forward Umar Sadiq has expressed his support for the team’s new head coach, Eric Chelle, and is optimistic about his success in the role.

Chelle was appointed as the Super Eagles’ head coach earlier this month, a decision that has sparked criticism directed at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Despite the backlash, Sadiq is confident in the 47-year-old’s ability to lead the team effectively.

“You can see what he did in the last AFCON. Everyone thought Mali was one of the favorites,” Sadiq told Sporty TV.

“You can see how they played. They were so good, but they got knocked out in the quarterfinals because, sometimes, it’s not the best team that wins.

“But I can tell you, I watched a lot of Mali’s games because I have a teammate there. You can see how they play, and it’s clear the coach (Chelle) has a lot of great ideas.”

Chelle’s impressive work with Mali during the previous AFCON has given Sadiq confidence that the coach can bring similar success to the Super Eagles.

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‘I’m happy to be out there’ — Dessers opens up on Rangers exit

Cyriel Dessers has expressed his intention to remain at Rangers beyond the winter transfer window despite speculation about his future.

The Nigerian international began the season as Rangers’ first-choice striker but has since lost his spot to Hamza Igamane.

Dessers has been linked with a return to Italy, with reports suggesting interest from Cagliari and Empoli. Spanish club Leganes is also reportedly keen on signing the former Feyenoord forward.

In a recent interview, Dessers acknowledged plans to discuss his status at the club with senior officials. However, the 30-year-old revealed that no such talks have taken place yet.

“No talks at all. I don’t mind that. I try to focus on the football and the things that are happening on the pitch,” Dessers told the Daily Record.

“Those are the things that I can control. And like Sunday at Tannadice, I’m just happy to be out there with the guys, fighting for the points and being important.

“That’s what I want. There’s a lot of unfinished business at Rangers for me. That’s why I kept pushing in the last weeks—in the gym, in training, and in the minutes that you get.”

Despite his recent challenges, Dessers has had an impressive season, scoring 18 goals across all competitions under manager Philippe Clement.