Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has issued a stern message to his star-studded team, indicating that no player’s place is guaranteed following public criticism of former manager Antonio Conte. Midfielder Kevin De Bruyne and striker Romelu Lukaku now face uncertain futures after the club chief suggested he is open to sanctioning their departures during the upcoming transfer window.

De Laurentiis responds to De Bruyne’s comments

Tensions have escalated at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona after De Bruyne openly celebrated Conte’s exit. The Belgian playmaker, who joined Napoli on a free transfer from Manchester City last summer, endured a tough debut season in Serie A, marked by a major hamstring injury and disagreements over tactics.

Addressing the media on Thursday, De Laurentiis made it clear that players dissatisfied with the club’s direction are welcome to move on. When questioned about the outspoken remarks from senior figures like De Bruyne and Lukaku, the film producer-turned-president did not hold back. “They have made statements that can be seen as acceptable or unacceptable, depending on your viewpoint,” De Laurentiis stated. “We’ll see how things stand once we return to work and once the new coach shares his opinion. If someone needs to leave, then they will leave. What’s the issue? There are plenty of footballers in the world.”

De Bruyne admits friction with Conte

De Bruyne’s frustration reportedly came from tactical incompatibility with Conte, despite the Italian coach having guided Napoli to their fourth Scudetto just a year earlier. The creative midfielder managed only 18 league appearances in the 2025-26 Serie A campaign and felt constrained by the coach’s disciplined style. When asked about Conte’s departure, De Bruyne did not hide his relief.

“For me, yes. As far as I’m concerned, he didn’t have to stay,” De Bruyne confessed. “There were promises last summer about how we would play, but very little of that materialised. It was difficult for me because Conte sees football very differently from how I do. Honestly, I never got a real chance to play in my preferred position. Still, I always gave my best for the team. We were too defensive. If you aim to win every match by just one goal using a 4-5-1 formation, that’s a specific brand of football. At the start of the season, we were sitting even deeper.”

Lukaku’s issues underline tactical divide

De Bruyne’s critique of Napoli’s cautious approach also hinted at Lukaku’s struggles up front. The Belgian striker’s situation worsened when he ignored club instructions during his injury rehabilitation in Belgium, resulting in a €150,000 fine. Although Lukaku has since apologised, reports suggest Napoli are ready to offload him for around €10 million, with clubs from Saudi Arabia and Turkey showing interest.

With Massimiliano Allegri expected to become the next manager, the outlook for players hoping for a more attacking style may not change drastically. Allegri is known for his pragmatic approach, much like Conte, which could mean continued frustration for those who prefer a freer system.

New chapter expected under Allegri

While De Laurentiis stopped short of officially naming Allegri due to contractual limitations, he confirmed that the new manager will have the final say over player sales. Club officials are said to be disappointed by the timing of the players’ remarks, especially considering their seniority and the financial commitment invested in their salaries.