Napoli manager Antonio Conte delivered a chilling assessment of his team’s current state following their latest Serie A defeat against Bologna, threatening to confront the club hierarchy over the lack of passion he is witnessing.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, the notoriously fiery coach did not hold back, stating that the team’s continuous poor results suggest deep-seated, non-technical issues.
Conte expressed his profound concern, especially given the club’s recent Scudetto success, and delivered a stark ultimatum to his players and the management.
He said, via TMW: “Surely I cannot not be worried because five defeats since the start of the year are too many for a team that was labelled as one that should have crushed the league without effort,” Conte began.
The ex-Chelsea and Inter boss reserved his harshest words for the attitude of his squad, particularly the “veterans,” and revealed his intent to force a clear-out or a complete psychological change.
“I don’t want to accompany the dead,” he declared, signalling his refusal to oversee a team lacking motivation. “If we want to get back on track and change the trend, fine, otherwise everyone must take responsibility, and I am the first.”
Conte also confirmed he will be seeking an urgent meeting with the club’s leadership to address the issues he is perceiving within the squad’s mentality.
“I will speak to the club about this aspect because I am perceiving things that I don’t like,” he stated.
The manager concluded by emphasising that effort and heart are currently missing, noting that a “compitino” (just doing the bare minimum) is not enough.
“This means that I am not doing a good job because I have not gotten into the players’ heads. I am the first one responsible, and I don’t know if the conditions exist to change this situation because we need to work on the players’ mentality.”
Kaustubh Pandey I GIFN
