Napoli and Conte: discipline, solo training and Neapolitan rituals | OneFootball

The daily life of Antonio Conte in Naples is marked by inflexible rhythms, personal rituals, and an almost obsessive attention to order. The Corriere della Sera has outlined a rigorous profile, made of strict habits, sought-after silences, and lifestyle choices far removed from the spotlight.

Naples, Conte, absolute discipline: solitary training, superstitious rituals, and a surprisingly Neapolitan life...

Conte arrives at Castel Volturno every day at nine in the morning. Not to immediately lead the team, but to train alone, strictly with no one nearby. He wants concentration, space, isolation. It's a moment he defends with determination, and everyone who works with him knows it well.

His collaborators experience the same climate of rigor: to enter his office, knocking is mandatory. Conte does not tolerate noise or frivolity. Sessions, schedules, application: everything must be adhered to with precision. An attitude that, as his former teammates recount, has accompanied him since the days when he was called "the Hammer."

A lucky charm always with him

Among the habits Conte does not abandon is a red horn, a small Neapolitan superstitious object that the coach touches during matches. It's not folklore, but part of a ritual that has deep meaning for him: managing tensions, emotional balance, the need to control every detail of performance.

Simple life in Chiaia: no luxury, just normality

The coach has chosen to live in Chiaia, but without the view of the Gulf that many would consider essential. He prefers to move in the heart of the neighborhood, frequenting restaurants and pizzerias that are not trendy, places where there's no need to show off and where he can request light meals in line with his lifestyle.

He does not shy away from daily life: he goes to the bakery, the pharmacy, the supermarket. And when the schedule allows, he goes to church, often attending the noon mass. An image that tells of a man very different from the one seen on the bench.

"When he can't win, he leaves": Zazzaroni's take

In recent days, there has been talk of possible internal frictions within the team. Ivan Zazzaroni, director of Corriere dello Sport, clarified his position during "Radio Goal" on Kiss Kiss Napoli: "The team is totally with Conte. There is no internal break."

Analyzing Napoli's victory against Roma, Zazzaroni highlighted the team's mature attitude and defensive solidity: "Buongiorno and Rrahmani were excellent, Di Lorenzo returned to good levels. Neres and Lang in open play are devastating. Napoli managed and practically conceded nothing."

The comparison with Bielsa: the fear of losing

Zazzaroni then linked Conte's philosophy to that of Marcelo Bielsa: "Bielsa says that defeat is an apparent death. Conte lives the same way. He doesn't think about winning, he thinks about not losing. It's been like this for seventeen years."

The quote recalls a recent interview with the Uruguay coach, in which Bielsa describes himself as: "I am a generator of tension. I make the environment tense. I don't show myself often. I am toxic. Those who follow me must live with a very high level of demanding self-criticism. I don't like being this way, but it's my nature."

A description that seems to perfectly fit the way Conte lives his profession: constant intensity, productive tension, total immersion in work.

Conte, the man beyond the coach

What emerges is a complex portrait: a coach who demands the maximum, a man who seeks order and routine, a professional who lives Naples without filters or ostentation. Conte has remained true to his identity: hammering, controlling, determining. And winning, because as those who know him repeat, "if he can't do it, he says goodbye."

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.