Kevin De Bruyne’s Future Under Napoli Director’s Eye

Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna has addressed the future of Kevin De Bruyne following the Belgian midfielder’s outspoken criticism of former manager Antonio Conte’s defensive tactics. Despite the apparent friction and ongoing transfer speculation in the wake of the 2026 World Cup, Manna is adamant that the veteran playmaker remains under contract and is expected to report for pre-season duty under newly appointed boss Massimiliano Allegri.

De Bruyne endured a challenging first season in Serie A, primarily due to a clash in football philosophies with his former coach. Speaking candidly to Belgian outlet Het Nieuwsblad, the midfielder revealed, “It was difficult for me, of course, because Conte has a very different vision of football than I do; we shouldn’t beat around the bush about that.” He lamented the fact that he was rarely deployed in his most effective position under the Italian, which in turn limited his influence on the matchday.

The Belgian was notably critical of Napoli’s defensive setup: “We play very defensively. If you score one goal every match in a 5-4-1… That’s not so great,” he commented, emphasizing that the team’s leading scorer managed only 10 goals throughout the campaign. When directly asked if he was relieved to see Conte depart, De Bruyne did not hesitate: “Am I happy that Conte is leaving? For me, yes. As far as I’m concerned, he didn’t have to stay.”

Manna addressed these remarks during a press conference and acknowledged that the club had taken note but downplayed any lasting fallout. “I did not appreciate some of his words, but there’s no problem,” Manna stated, emphasizing that De Bruyne’s situation is straightforward, regardless of the public comments. He pointed out the midfielder’s contract, which is set for two years with an option for a third, as evidence that the matter is effectively settled from the club’s perspective.

The director further affirmed De Bruyne’s role in the new project under Allegri, dismissing claims that the player holds any influence over his future: “Kevin doesn’t have to decide if he’s staying or leaving; he is part of the project and will put himself at the disposal of the coach, just like all the other players,” he declared. Manna conceded that De Bruyne underperformed relative to his capabilities last season but insisted the club remains invested in him, stating that the Belgian has yet to communicate with Allegri and is expected to do so once pre-season training begins.

Manna also commented on Romelu Lukaku’s situation, another player whose future at Napoli has attracted speculation after his World Cup performance. “Lukaku is on vacation, coming off a good World Cup, so we’ll see when he returns,” he indicated, offering no hints that discussions about the striker’s future would happen soon.

Regarding Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa, Manna was equally resolute, shutting down any rumors of a possible sale. “Frank Anguissa has a contract with Napoli, so I see no need to negotiate with him. He is not for sale,” he declared, effectively quashing speculation surrounding both players and reaffirming that they remain integral to the club’s plans under Allegri.

The transition from Conte to Allegri marks a new chapter for Napoli, yet the club is already facing a significant setback with defender Alessandro Buongiorno needing surgery for a meniscus issue and expected to miss up to three months. Manna described the injury as a “surprise” but confirmed that Sam Beukema is set to join the squad later in the pre-season while the club assesses its defensive options.

“He is motivated and coming off a campaign where for the first time he failed to achieve his objective,” Manna said of Allegri. “We can go all the way in every competition. Every coach has a different working method; we’ll wait until the international players start work and then evaluate the situation.”