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COMO, ITALY – MAY 02: Kevin De Bruyne of SSC Napoli looks on during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and SSC Napoli at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on May 02, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Cristian Stellini lashed out at Kevin De Bruyne for criticising Napoli coach Antonio Conte. ‘He had no joy or enthusiasm at being there, especially compared to Luka Modric at Milan.’
The row erupted after Conte left the Napoli job by mutual consent this summer, having steered them to second place in Serie A and victory in the Supercoppa Italiana.
Not everyone was sad about his departure, as confirmed by De Bruyne to Nieuwsblad in Belgium, when confessing he was ‘happy’ Conte was gone due to his defensive approach.
De Bruyne blamed for moaning about Napoli
Now Conte’s long-term assistant manager Stellini has hit back on behalf of his old boss.
“Perhaps there’s no point in Napoli signing players who are 33 years old with an important career behind them, who think about aesthetics more than the results of a season,” Stellini told the Corriere dello Sport.
“If players with so much experience are to arrive in Italy, then at least they ought to set the example for the younger players on how to relish a club like Napoli with enthusiasm and joy. De Bruyne showed no joy or enthusiasm.
“I can only hope that in future he can experience situations that he’d prefer, perhaps for the Belgium national team with Rudy Garcia.”
It isn’t just about the tactics or all that he had won in the past, because Stellini makes a damning comparison between the former Manchester City star and ex-Real Madrid legend Modric, who also arrived in Serie A last summer.
“I was really struck by the way Modric settled in at Milan, showing leadership and enthusiasm, despite being part of a team that played a very pragmatic style of football. He never went around criticising the directors or coach.
“Being a professional also means being able to understand what you can do to make the work environment better by setting the example!” concluded Stellini.
If De Bruyne was unhappy with the negative style of football expressed by Conte, then the likely arrival of Max Allegri from Milan isn’t going to improve matters.
The Belgian’s future at Napoli is therefore very much in doubt.
