Insigne ‘sometimes’ thinks about return from MLS but he’s surprised Napoli convinced Conte | OneFootball

Former Napoli star Lorenzo Insigne admits he ‘sometimes’ thinks about returning to Europe, says he is still grateful to Aurelio De Laurentiis but is surprised that he managed to convince Antonio Conte last summer.

Italy international Insigne released an interview with Il Corriere della Sera ahead of today’s Serie A match between Napoli and Juventus at the Allianz Stadium in Turin.

“It’s always an important game. Because of the rivalry, it means a lot,” he said. ù

“It will be a great game between two different coaches. I don’t know if I’ll be able to watch it, as we play away, but I’ll try.”

A product of Napoli academy, Insigne spent his entire professional career at Napoli before joining MLS side Toronto FC in 2022. The following season, the Partenopei won their first Scudetto in 33 years.

“I’d been part of the project for many years. Surely, it’s not always easy to deal with the President, but he must be thanked because he’s done so much to bring Napoli back to the top,” he admitted.

Insigne ‘sometimes’ thinks about return from MLS but he’s surprised Napoli convinced Conte

“Except for this season, we’ve always played in European competition, and it’s his merit. Good players have left, but he’s always built a strong team and we won the title.

“I’ll always be a Napoli fan and would have loved to win the Scudetto, but sadly, this is football. The same goes for  Koulibaly, Mertens, Hamsik, Albiol, Callejon, Jorginho, Allan. We would have deserved it, but I’m super happy that Napoli won it anyway.”

Napoli hired Conte in the summer after a terrible 2023-24 campaign that saw them change four coaches and finish outside a European placement. How does it feel to have Conte, one of the best coaches in Europe, in the Napoli dugout?

“To be fair, it’s so good,” Insigned admitted.

“I didn’t think the President could make such a move and convince an important coach like Conte. Surely, the passion and the love of Napoli fans had an impact. I think Conte saw the energy around the team when we won the Scudetto. Once, he said: ‘When I return, troubles for the others will start.’ As a Napoli fan, I’m happy he’s on our bench and I hope he’ll help us have a great season.”

Insigne has two more years left in his contract with Toronto. Is he happy in Canada, and does he ever consider returning to Europe?

“I didn’t expect it, but my family and I feel so well here, even if I don’t speak English,” said the 33-year-old.

“Unfortunately, I didn’t study as a kid, and this has had an impact, but I have made myself understand. Luckily, I don’t feel cold much because I return to Naples in January and we do the pre-season in hot weather. The league is not on the same level as the Europeans’, but they’re trying to make it grow. Regardless of everything, it’s nice to be here.

“When I watch Champions League games, I feel something inside. I know I can still give a lot. The flame is still burning, but now I am focused here. We have the Canada Cup Final next week and I want to qualify for the MLS Playoffs. Anything can happen in our job. De Rossi was no longer the Roma coach from one day to another. Sometimes I still think about coming back.”