Antonio Conte under pressure just MINUTES after securing Serie A title with Napoli as president sends boss warning amid wild street celebrations

Antonio Conte had barely time to bask in winning the Serie A title with Napoli before he was put in his place by club president Aurelio De Laurentiis.

The former Chelsea and Tottenham manager became the first man to win the Italian title with three different teams as his side saw off Cagliari 2-0 with goals from Scott McTominay and Romelu Lukaku on the final day. 

The result sees Napoli top Serie A by a point after second-place Inter Milan matched their result at Como. 

Napoli’s fourth ever title — and their second in three years  — prompted wild celebrations on the streets of the southern Italian city as smoke bombs, fireworks, and passionate chants filled the air.

The achievement saw Conte crowned as Serie A Coach of the Year but that did not spare him from being immediately put under pressure by his boss who is already starting to think about next season.

Napoli did not play in Europe this season, a consequence of last year’s miserable title defence which saw them finish 10th.  

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is already thinking ahead to next season’s targets

Scott McTominay puts up four fingers to mark the number of titles won by the Neapolitans

And De Laurentiis is hungry for the Neapolitans to get their hands on a first European trophy since the Diego Maradona-inspired UEFA Cup triumph in 1989. 

‘Never say never,’ the 75-year-old told DAZN when asked if Conte was staying.

‘Coaches have their own character that must be respected and in my view you should never oblige them under iron-clad contracts. Napoli is Napoli, it deserves respect. If he wants to put himself at the disposal of the club the way he has done this season, then we say welcome, we are ready to follow him like a great leader.

‘Next year, I would be very pleased if he made his mark in the Champions League, which since they modified the format has become even more important.’

Although that may seem a rather churlish way to speak about your league-winning manager to the backdrop of raucous Neapolitan celebration, De Laurentiis did temper those comments with some warm words about Conte. 

‘It was not easy, but when I met Conte in the Maldives and many years ago we went swimming together, I was struck by his mentality,’ De Laurentiis said.

‘I approached him in November 2023 and asked him to come straight away, but very professionally, he said he didn’t build that team, so it was best to wait until June so then we could do something really special together.’

McTominay sent Napoli toward their title triumph on Friday night by scoring a brilliant opening goal. The Scot signed from Man United last summer for £25million and has been a revelation in southern Italy, winning the Serie A Player of the Year award.

Napoli supporters party late into the night on the streets of the southern Italian city

It’s quite the turnaround after the Partenopei finished 10th during last season’s title defence

Smoke bombs, fireworks, and passionate chants fill the air in Naples amid wild celebrations

Back in Manchester, United boss Ruben Amorim was no doubt looking on with interest just 48 hours after his side were beaten 1-0 by Tottenham in the Europa League final. Across the city, Kevin de Bruyne may also have taken note. 

The Belgian legend will leave Man City this summer when his contract expires after a decade at the Etihad Stadium in whiche he has scored 108 goals and won 19 trophies, including the Champions League.

Napoli has been touted as a possible location for the 33-year-old but when De Laurentiis was asked if a move was on the cards, he was more circumspect with his words. 

‘Let us not ask indiscreet questions,’ he said.

‘We are working to create an even stronger and more competitive squad. We have wonderful players right now and will add more of the highest level.’