Timing of McTominay Napoli transfer upset Conte | OneFootball

Antonio Conte admits the timing of Scott McTominay’s transfer to Napoli upset him last summer: ‘I didn’t like it.’

The Italian tactician spoke about his first season at Napoli in an interview with Sky Sport Italia.

Conte insisted he had not reached an agreement to return to Juventus, but admitted that some transfer moves did upset him.

Napoli transfer moves upset Conte

ROME, ITALY – FEBRUARY 02: Antonio Conte, Head Coach of Napoli, gives his side instructions during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Napoli at Stadio Olimpico on February 02, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

It wasn’t only about Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s move to PSG in the January transfer window, but it also involved new signings.

The Partenopei secured the services of several key players, including McTominay and Lukaku, in the final week of the 2024 summer transfer window, leaving Conte disappointed.

NAPLES, ITALY – MAY 23: Scott McTominay of Napoli celebrates victory following 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 think everyone is aware of what happened in January. During the season, some things didn’t really make me happy,” Conte admitted.

“New players arrived only in the last week [of the 2024 summer transfer window]. McTominay, Gilmour, Neres and Lukaku. Honestly, I didn’t like that.”

Napoli’s poor start to 2024-25 season

epa11554511 Hellas Verona’s Daniel Mosquera celebrates after scoring a goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match Hellas Verona vs Napoli at the Marcantonio Bentegodi stadium in Verona, Italy, 18 August 2024. EPA-EFE/FILIPPO VENEZIA

It is no coincidence, perhaps, that Napoli lost their first 2024-25 Serie A match 3-0 away at Hellas Verona. The Partenopei would only lose three more games across the previous campaign, securing their second Serie A title in three years.

“I believe I was good at accepting and not giving excuses to my players and myself,” Conte concluded.

“When you sign, there are honours and duties. When we spoke, they admitted there had been mistakes; it happens in the first year of marriage. As long as I was reassured on this aspect, we continued. We must defend the Scudetto and protect our work.”