Napoli head coach Antonio Conte did not want to enter into an open conflict with club president Aurelio De Laurentiis. Following a 0-2 home defeat against Lazio, the specialist avoided answering questions regarding his future. Goal.com reports on this.
Currently, the Neapolitans trail league leaders Inter by 12 points. With the battle for the Scudetto virtually over, media reports regarding Conte potentially leading the Italy national team in the summer have increased.
De Laurentiis has also hinted at a possible parting of ways with the coach.
"This is the president's problem; he can say whatever he wants, but I have no answer for him. If I have something to say to him, I will say it in a private meeting, not in public.
Maintaining silence is more beneficial for everyone until the end of the championship," Conte said in an interview with DAZN.
The coach emphasized that the constant rumors are irritating him and that his name is being used to fill newspaper pages. In his view, the primary focus in the current situation should be on results on the pitch rather than the contract.
Speaking about the match against Lazio, Conte admitted his team's shortcomings. Despite Napoli having 70 percent possession, they failed to record a single shot on target against the opponent's goal.
The coach acknowledged that he had not sufficiently prepared the team for the match.
With five rounds remaining in the season, Napoli holds an eight-point lead over fifth-placed Como. The main task for Conte remains keeping the team in the top four and securing a UEFA Champions League berth for next season.
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