Former England and Italy manager Fabio Capello has criticised Kevin De Bruyne over comments made about Antonio Conte’s departure from Napoli, telling the Belgian midfielder to focus on his own performances rather than blaming the former coach.
Capello’s reaction followed De Bruyne’s admission that he was pleased to see Conte leave the Serie A club after a season in which the midfielder struggled to adapt to the manager’s tactical approach.
Speaking to Sky Sport Italia, Capello defended his fellow Italian and questioned De Bruyne’s criticism of the system employed by Conte.
Capello said: “People always blame others; they need to take a good look in the mirror.
“Did he really join a team expecting them to change their entire playing system just for him?
“I think Conte had the best interests of the team in mind with his tactical choices.
“I respect De Bruyne a lot, but he should have examined his own conscience before speaking.”
The controversy began after De Bruyne expressed frustration with Napoli’s defensive style under Conte, despite the club finishing second in Serie A.
The former Manchester City playmaker claimed his creativity was restricted by Conte’s preference for a rigid 5-4-1 system focused on defensive stability.
When asked about the coach’s departure, De Bruyne made no attempt to hide his feelings.
He said: “Am I happy that Conte is leaving?
“For me, yes. As far as I’m concerned, he didn’t have to stay.”
The 34-year-old also suggested that the tactical differences between himself and Conte made his adjustment to Italian football more difficult.
Conte’s departure, however, was not solely linked to on-field matters.
Following Napoli’s final match of the season against Udinese, the former Chelsea and Tottenham manager pointed to divisions within the club and a lack of unity as major reasons behind his decision to leave.
Conte said: “On Napoli I failed in one thing: I wasn’t able to bring compactness to Napoli and if you don’t manage to do it, it becomes difficult to fight against other teams.
“I’ve seen a lot of poison and those who spread it are failures. Napoli doesn’t need failures, those who need a like. It needs serious people who want to love the team, just like the fan who pays for the ticket, instead these people should stay away because they are harmful.
“I failed from this point of view and I understood that I would never be able to compact the environment. For me it was fundamental, so I raised my hands.”
With Conte gone, Napoli are now preparing for a new era.
Club president Aurelio De Laurentiis is reportedly moving to appoint former AC Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri as the club’s next coach in a bid to restore stability and rebuild harmony within the dressing room.
The expected arrival of Allegri could also offer De Bruyne an opportunity to revive his influence at the club under a new tactical setup after a turbulent campaign under Conte.
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