It seems almost inconceivable to pose the question, and it is, except for the precedent set two years ago. Luciano Spalletti led Napoli to its first Scudetto since the Diego Maradona era; however, the club opted to extend his contract rather than negotiate a new one, prompting his departure. Now, with another Serie A title under their belt, Conte has two years left on his deal, yet his future remains uncertain.

"Is Conte staying? You must be content in your role. If you're unhappy and struggling, it's time to move on," Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis stated on Saturday, a day after the 2-0 victory over Cagliari that clinched the title. "We share a strong bond built on respect and professionalism. We'll see what happens."

What might make Conte unhappy? This is where the typical discussions arise. As a proven winner with high ambitions, he seeks investments to bolster the squad, something De Laurentiis may or may not deliver. This pattern is familiar for Conte, and his demands are understandable.

Conte inherited a team that finished 10th the previous season and replaced Victor Osimhen with Romelu Lukaku, while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was swapped for Noah Okafor in January (who played only 40 minutes). Despite key injuries to players like Stanislav Lobotka, Alessandro Buongiorno, and David Neres, Conte still secured the win. He has once again demonstrated his ability to elevate players, not just Scott McTominay (who earned league MVP), but also Amir Rrahmani (a constant starter), Mathías Olivera, and Matteo Politano. It's fair for Conte to leverage his success to push for squad reinforcements, aiming to defend the title and excel in European competitions.

From De Laurentiis' perspective, this is also logical. Conte was aware that Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia would leave when he joined, and Napoli operates on a constrained budget. Winning the title is impressive, but seven of his best starting XI were already in place from two years ago. Without European commitments, he had full weeks to prepare for games. While strengthening the team would be ideal, De Laurentiis must manage finances responsibly.

Rumors of Conte returning to Juventus surfaced over the weekend, likely as a strategic move. This highlights the importance of leverage: Conte's reputation for immediate success gives him power, while De Laurentiis holds the two-year contract and can demand substantial compensation from any suitor.

As a Napoli fan, you'd want this resolved soon to continue celebrating, recognizing that while Conte deserves immense credit, no one is indispensable. The manager who won the title two years ago proves that point.