De Laurentiis puts Napoli pressure on Conte: ‘Never say never’ | OneFootball

Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis celebrated the Serie A title, but piled more pressure on Antonio Conte. ‘Never say never. If he wants to put himself at the disposal of the club, then he is welcome. I would be pleased if he made his mark in the Champions League.’

The Partenopei secured their second Scudetto in the last three years, having waited over three decades to end the drought before Luciano Spalletti in 2023.

They needed the victory this evening against Cagliari and got it thanks to goals from Scott McTominay and Romelu Lukaku.

NAPLES, ITALY – MAY 23: Fans of Napoli display a tifo prior to the Serie A match between Napoli and Cagliari at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on May 23, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

“I feel relieved now,” De Laurentiis told DAZN during the title celebrations.

“Saying four is good number, it’s not easy. We hope it is the start of a consistency that we are trying to take from the North of Italy to the South. It was not easy, but when I met Conte in the Maldives and many years ago we went swimming together, I was struck by his mentality.

“I approached him in November 2023 and asked him to come straight away, but very professionally, he said he didn’t build that team, so it was best to wait until June so then we could do something really special together.

“He did it, so I take my hat off to him.”

De Laurentiis tension with Conte remains at Napoli

PARMA, ITALY – MAY 18: Antonio Conte, Head Coach of Napoli, reacts during the Serie A match between Parma and Napoli at Stadio Ennio Tardini on May 18, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

There was a warm hug on the field after the final whistle between De Laurentiis and Conte, but there is by no means any certainty that the coach will remain next season.

With that in mind, the President’s comments left the door open, putting all the pressure on his coach to make a decision.

“Never say never. Coaches have their own character that must be respected and in my view you should never oblige them under iron-clad contracts. Napoli is Napoli, it deserves respect. If he wants to put himself at the disposal of the club the way he has done this season, then we say welcome, we are ready to follow him like a great leader,” noted De Laurentiis.

“Next year, I would be very pleased if he made his mark in the Champions League, which since they modified the format has become even more important.”

De Laurentiis a tough President to work with

Aurelio De Laurentiis unveiling new Napoli manager Antonio Conte

De Laurentiis had irritated Spalletti and others in the past by trying to make more decisions and take control of the project away from his coaches.

“I found Napoli in the bankruptcy tribunal and for 15 years we’ve been consistently in Europe, people forget that. But I see kids now who proudly wear the Napoli colours, whereas in the past that wasn’t always the case.

“Look at what the city gave me for my birthday! Naples is a city that always gives you the best in life, but you must be able to grab it, otherwise you remain on the margins with a desolate mentality. There is a winning mentality here, and even when there is desperation, they still emerge with success.

“I can say that because my family left Naples in the 1930s and 40s, able to spread success all over the world. I am happy to have brought that success back to this city with the most popular of entertainment formats, kicking a football.”

De Laurentiis was asked if his next present for the club could be the arrival of Kevin de Bruyne as a free agent.

“Let us not ask indiscreet questions. We are working to create an even stronger and more competitive squad. We have wonderful players right now and will add more of the highest level.”