Conte warns Napoli players after De Bruyne’s outburst
Reports in Italy claim that Antonio Conte didn’t speak directly to Kevin De Bruyne on Monday, but warned the team that ‘certain behaviour will only be tolerated once.’
Napoli coach Conte did not talk to De Bruyne after the Belgian ace openly showed his frustration at being substituted during Sunday’s Serie A away match against Milan.
Conte spoke to Napoli players after De Bruyne’s outburst
scores a penalty goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and SSC Napoli at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Multiple sources in Italy, including Gazzetta, Corriere dello Sport and SportMediaset, report that Conte decided not to have a one-on-one meeting with the ex-Manchester City star, but spoke to the whole team instead.
Corriere dello Sport claims that Conte warned his players that such behaviour will only be tolerated once.
According to Corriere dello Sport, De Bruyne only listened to the coach and didn’t reply.
De Bruyne unhappy with Napoli substitution: What Conte said
SportMediaset adds that Conte’s main collaborator, Gabriele Oriali, spoke to De Bruyne separately, insisting that such a protest won’t be tolerated anymore.
Conte had already made his feelings clear at a post-match press conference on Sunday night, saying that if De Bruyne was “upset for the substitution”, he had “picked the wrong person.”