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I am disappointed in myself — Conte opens up on the exits of Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Napoli coach Antonio Conte has shared his frustration over the club’s failure to retain its top players, Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, during his short tenure.
Arriving at Napoli last summer, Conte faced challenges as both stars sought moves away from the club.
In an interview with DAZN, Conte revealed his disappointment, not in the players or the club, but in his inability to alter the situation.
“I spoke about disappointment not towards the player, not towards the club, but towards myself because I failed to change the situation in six months,” Conte stated. He emphasized his sense of responsibility, clarifying that his disappointment stemmed from his inability to influence Kvaratskhelia’s decision to leave.
“I thought I could have a different impact in these six months, but I realised we were right back where we started. I want to make that clear because I saw some headlines today saying, ‘Conte let down by Kvara.’ I am not let down by Kvara. I believe a coach should help a club make decisions and advise on what players to sign.”
He acknowledged the player’s right to decide their own future while admitting that his expectations of making a difference were “a little presumptuous.”
The departures and transfer dealings have reportedly had a significant financial impact on Napoli. Last summer, Paris Saint-Germain was reportedly prepared to offer up to €200 million for a package deal including Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia. However, Napoli delayed Osimhen’s sale, leading to a loan move to Turkey.
Now, PSG is reportedly willing to pay only €70 million for Kvaratskhelia, while Osimhen’s market value has dropped from €120 million to €75 million.
Despite the setbacks, Conte remains committed to his role and is focused on rebuilding Napoli. His statements underline his accountability and determination to improve the club’s fortunes moving forward.