Kevin De Bruyne has launched a scathing critique of outgoing Napoli manager Antonio Conte, admitting he is “happy” to see the coach leave the club after a difficult single season together.
In an explosive interview with Het Nieuwsblad, the Belgian playmaker did not hold back his frustration over a campaign he describes as joyless and tactically restrictive.
“I’m happy that Conte is leaving. For me, he shouldn’t stay,” De Bruyne stated bluntly .
The 34-year-old, who joined Napoli on a free transfer last summer after a decade at Manchester City, revealed a fundamental breakdown in footballing philosophy. He claims promises made about the team’s identity were never kept.
“He has a vision of football that is very different from mine, let’s not beat around the bush,” De Bruyne said. “This year I realized that the style of football is very important to me. It has to remain enjoyable, and unfortunately I missed that a bit.”
‘I Never Played in My Position’
De Bruyne, widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of his generation, alleged that Conte’s rigid tactical system neutered his natural game. The Italian coach, known for his demanding defensive structures, deployed Napoli primarily in a 5-4-1 formation throughout the season .
“I never really got the chance to play in my natural position,” De Bruyne explained. “Things were promised in the summer regarding the style we would play, but in the end, very little of that materialized” .
The midfielder’s frustration was compounded by a serious hamstring injury suffered in October that sidelined him for several months. He did not return to the pitch until March . Despite managing five goals and four assists in 21 appearances, De Bruyne felt his influence was consistently limited .
“We played defensively the whole season,” he added. “If you only score one goal or so per match… Our top scorer had 10 or 11 goals” .
Future in Doubt
With Conte’s departure now confirmed—marking the end of a tenure that brought silverware to Chelsea but has now concluded amid player unrest in Naples—De Bruyne’s own future remains uncertain .
The Belgian has one year remaining on his contract but refused to commit to staying. “I want to have a discussion about the way we play,” he said, reiterating that he has yet to see the offensive football he was promised upon his arrival .
While Napoli are reportedly in talks with Massimiliano Allegri as Conte’s successor, De Bruyne’s comments suggest that the club may need to convince him their project aligns with his own footballing values, or risk losing another star player just one year into his tenure .
