News Focus
- Cristian Stellini defends Antonio Conte after public criticism from Kevin De Bruyne
- The Belgian midfielder admitted he felt ‘happy’ when Conte left Napoli this summer
- Stellini claims De Bruyne showed no enthusiasm compared to Luka Modric at AC Milan
- The former Manchester City playmaker’s future in Serie A is now under serious threat
Cristian Stellini has strongly defended his former boss Antonio Conte. He accused Kevin De Bruyne of showing a poor attitude during his time at Napoli.
The row started after Conte left the club by mutual consent this summer. He had secured second place in Serie A and won the Supercoppa Italiana. However, De Bruyne told Belgian newspaper Nieuwsblad that he felt pleased about the departure. He struggled with the coach’s defensive style of football.
Stellini, who worked as Conte’s assistant for many years, hit back in an interview with Corriere dello Sport. “Perhaps Napoli should stop signing 33-year-old players with big careers behind them,” he stated. “Some stars care more about aesthetics than actual results.”
He added a sarcastic remark about De Bruyne’s international career. “I hope he finds situations he prefers in the future. Maybe with the Belgium national team under Rudy Garcia.”
Stellini then compared De Bruyne directly with Luka Modric. The Croatian midfielder also arrived in Italy last summer to join AC Milan. “I was really impressed by Modric’s behaviour at Milan,” Stellini said. “He showed great enthusiasm and leadership despite playing in a very pragmatic system. He never criticised the directors or the coach.”
He finished with a warning about professionalism. “Being a professional means improving the workplace by setting a positive example. It does not mean creating problems for others.”
The situation appears difficult for De Bruyne. Max Allegri is expected to become the new Napoli manager. He also favours a cautious, defensive approach. This likely appointment could force the Belgian to seek a move away from the club.