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Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis has forcefully shut down speculation of a rift with Antonio Conte, reaffirming his complete faith in the manager following the fierce post-Bologna comments.<\/p>\n
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Immediately after meeting with Sporting Director Giovanni Manna in Rome, De Laurentiis took to social media to dispel rumours of a breakdown in the relationship that followed Conte\u2019s public criticism of the squad.<\/p>\n
The President stated he was \u201cproud to have at my side, and at the side of Napoli and the players, a real man like Antonio Conte.\u201d\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 via Gazzetta<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n He went on to praise Conte\u2019s dedication, adding that the manager is \u201ccapable of sacrificing every second of his life for his profession, with extreme generosity and dedication.\u201d<\/em> Crucially, De Laurentiis stressed that \u201ca special harmony has always existed between me and Conte,\u201d one that unites \u201cmen who use the three C\u2019s,\u201d<\/em> a clear sign that the bond remains strong.<\/p>\n De Laurentiis also specifically addressed the gossip surrounding the manager\u2019s future, writing: \u201cI read on the web the fairy tale of Conte\u2019s resignation\u2026 you know that thoughts are not always correct or shareable,\u201d unequivocally denying that the manager is considering stepping down. The statements effectively quell any suggestion that Conte\u2019s intense reaction to the Bologna loss caused friction with the club\u2019s hierarchy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n