Lukaku: ‘I will do everything to keep Conte here’ amidst Napoli exit rumours | OneFootball

Romelu Lukaku insists that he ‘will do everything’ to keep Antonio Conte at Napoli amidst rumours of the coach leaving in order to rejoin his former club Juventus after winning the 2024-25 Serie A title on Friday night.

Reports in Italy claim that Conte has already made his decision and that there will be a ‘decisive’ meeting on Tuesday after the club’s title celebrations and open-top bus parade on Monday.

Conte has a three-year contract that runs until the summer of 2027 with Napoli. He has only been on board for one season, and claimed the Serie A title against the odds on his first attempt.

Despite a winning start, and despite having secured Napoli’s return to the Champions League, the 55-year-old is reportedly close to returning to Juventus with former Bianconeri head coach Massimiliano Allegri primed to replace him at the Stadio Maradona.

Lukaku: ‘I will do everything to keep Conte here’

epa11834999 Napoli�s Romelu Lukaku shakes hands with his coach during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Atalanta BC and SSC Napoli in Bergamo, Italy, 18 January 2025. EPA-EFE/MICHELE MARAVIGLIA

While celebrating Napoli’s Scudetto at the team’s open-top bus parade on Monday, Lukaku told the press that owes a lot to Conte and that he will ‘do everything to keep him here’.

The Belgian also compared himself to NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal and added that Conte is his Phil Jackson.

“There’s too much emotion. We did a great job and I’, happy for all these people, as well as for us, the team, the club and the coach. We never gave up and we deserve this success” Lukaku told Rai, reported via TMW.

Lukaku also explained how easy the decision was to join Napoli during the last summer transfer window after speaking to Conte, with whom he also worked at Inter.

NAPOLI, ITALY – AUGUST 31: Romelu Lukaku of SSC Napoli talks with his coach Antonio Conte during the Serie A match between Napoli and Parma at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on August 31, 2024 in Napoli, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

“The call lasted 15 seconds,” the Belgian explained. “As soon as I saw his number, I immediately understood and got ready.

“He’s my Phil Jackson and I’m his Shaquille O’Neal,” Lukaku said when explaining his relationship with Conte.

“I want to enjoy this moment. I have a three-year contract and I will do everything to keep him (Conte) here/ I always talk to him, I told him to stay.”