Stellini: ‘De Bruyne showed no joy or enthusiasm at Napoli, learn from Modric’ | OneFootball

Cristian Stellini lashed out at Kevin De Bruyne for criticising Napoli coach Antonio Conte. ‘He had no joy or enthusiasm at being there, especially compared to Luka Modric at Milan.’

The row erupted after Conte left the Napoli job by mutual consent this summer, having steered them to second place in Serie A and victory in the Supercoppa Italiana.

Not everyone was sad about his departure, as confirmed by De Bruyne to Nieuwsblad in Belgium, when confessing he was ‘happy’ Conte was gone due to his defensive approach.

De Bruyne blamed for moaning about Napoli

NAPLES, ITALY – AUGUST 30: Kevin De Bruyne of SSC Napoli during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on August 30, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Now Conte’s long-term assistant manager Stellini has hit back on behalf of his old boss.

“Perhaps there’s no point in Napoli signing players who are 33 years old with an important career behind them, who think about aesthetics more than the results of a season,” Stellini told the Corriere dello Sport.

CASTEL DI SANGRO, ITALY – AUGUST 14: Kevin De Bruyne of Napoli in action during the pre-season friendly match between Napoli and Olympiacos at Stadio Teofilo Patini on August 14, 2025 in Castel di Sangro, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images)

“If players with so much experience are to arrive in Italy, then at least they ought to set the example for the younger players on how to relish a club like Napoli with enthusiasm and joy. De Bruyne showed no joy or enthusiasm.

“I can only hope that in future he can experience situations that he’d prefer, perhaps for the Belgium national team with Rudy Garcia.”

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Kevin De Bruyne of Napoli leaves the pitch after being substituted whilst Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, speaks to Erling Haaland of Manchester City during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Manchester City and SSC Napoli at City of Manchester Stadium on September 18, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

It isn’t just about the tactics or all that he had won in the past, because Stellini makes a damning comparison between the former Manchester City star and ex-Real Madrid legend Modric, who also arrived in Serie A last summer.

“I was really struck by the way Modric settled in at Milan, showing leadership and enthusiasm, despite being part of a team that played a very pragmatic style of football. He never went around criticising the directors or coach.

“Being a professional also means being able to understand what you can do to make the work environment better by setting the example!” concluded Stellini.

If De Bruyne was unhappy with the negative style of football expressed by Conte, then the likely arrival of Max Allegri from Milan isn’t going to improve matters.

The Belgian’s future at Napoli is therefore very much in doubt.