UPDATE: De Bruyne gets coach response
After Kevin De Bruyne’s statements went across the world, one of Antonio Conte’s assistants has responded to his criticism.
Cristian Stellini, a long-time Conte assistant, who also took over from him at Spurs, laid into KDB’s complaints about defensive football.
He commented: “Perhaps it makes little sense for players to arrive in Naples who are 33-years-old with an important past and who think about aesthetics rather than the result of a season.
“If players with this experience need to arrive, let them at least serve as an example to young people of enthusiasm and the joy of living in a place like Napoli.
“He didn’t instil either joy or enthusiasm in me. I hope he can have experiences more similar to what he wants in the future, perhaps already in the national team with Garcia.”
Stellini then cited Luka Modric as an example for De Bruyne.
He continued: “I was very impressed last season by how he settled into AC Milan.
“Leading his teammates with leadership and enthusiasm despite playing in a team that played very pragmatic football, achieving excellent results and never passing judgement on the management and the coach.
“Being a professional also means being able to understand what you need to do to make the environment you work in the best possible by leading by example.”
Kevin De Bruyne is nothing if not honest.
The Belgium midfielder is famous for his dry media comments, and it was no different when he was asked about Antonio Conte’s Napoli exit.
Conte left Napoli on exceptionally good terms by his own standards, finishing second in Serie A after winning the league last season.
But despite keeping things cordial with fiery president Aurelio De Laurentiis, he didn’t manage to do so with De Bruyne.
Speaking back in Belgium, the Premier League legend said: “We played very defensively.
“When you only score one goal per game in a 5-4-1 formation… it’s a bit disappointing.”
Asked if he was glad Conte has left, he added: “Yes.
“I’ve noticed this year that the way we play is important to me. It also has to remain enjoyable, and unfortunately, that’s something I missed a bit.
“Last year, too, promises were made. ‘We’re going to play a certain way, we’re going to do this and that ,’ but very little materialised.”
Good luck with Max Allegri…
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