Allegri under pressure as Napoli line up Palladino

Massimiliano Allegri’s position as Napoli head coach is already under threat following a disappointing start to the campaign, with former Fiorentina boss Raffaele Palladino emerging as a potential replacement.

The Partenopei suffered their third consecutive defeat across all competitions on Tuesday night, falling at home to Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal in their Champions League opener. The loss follows back-to-back Serie A defeats against Como and Inter, leaving Napoli in an early-season tailspin.

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Massimiliano Allegri, Manager of Napoli, reacts during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and SSC Napoli at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 05, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Pressure mounts on Allegri at Napoli

Despite an encouraging overall performance against the Gunners at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, the results have raised alarm bells within the club’s hierarchy.

Speaking to Radio Radio, via CalcioMercato.it, journalist Giovanni Scotto revealed that club president Aurelio De Laurentiis is deeply dissatisfied with the team’s dismal start, a sentiment shared by an increasingly restless fanbase.

BERGAMO, ITALY – MAY 17: Raffaele Palladino Head coach of Atalanta looks on during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Bologna FC 1909 at Gewiss Stadium on May 17, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Cottini/Getty Images)

Pressure is now mounting on Allegri to deliver an immediate response when Napoli travel to face Bologna on Sunday afternoon. Failure to turn things around at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara could accelerate changes, with Palladino already being monitored as a top candidate should De Laurentiis decide to make a mid-season managerial switch.