Journalist Umberto Chiariello discussed Antonio Conte`s situation at Napoli during a radio program, “A Pranzo con Umberto Chiariello” on Radio CRC.
He mentioned, “We had the pleasure of hosting Napoli`s center-forward Romelu Lukaku on our radio, in the presence of our editor, who is also a journalist, Salvatore Isaia. It was a very pleasant visit; he is a splendid young man, 31 years old, a very tall and large man but with polite manners and a very pleasant smile. I have always totally respected him since I heard him speak a few years ago in a beautiful interview conducted by Paolo Condò for Sky.”
Chiariello continued, “I don`t know what happened between Lukaku and Inter, but I believe he didn`t get along very well with Simone Inzaghi, because with Antonio Conte it would never have happened that Lukaku could leave Inter as he did. Lukaku is viscerally linked to Antonio Conte, not because he gives him privileges, but on the contrary, because he gives him responsibilities, so much so that the coach wants him to be the first to pull the cart, and he is happy to take on these responsibilities.”
He added, “A few days ago a agent said to me on the phone: `My goodness, how demanding Antonio Conte is`, to which I replied: `Well, should we change him?`. `Absolutely not, not at all: Antonio Conte improves players, you don`t joke around with him. He doesn`t look anyone in the face, he doesn`t favor anyone, if someone is his favorite, he torments him more than others because he demands the maximum. Antonio Conte is great and woe betide losing him. But I am certain that he will stay`.”
Chiariello concluded, “I also had complaints about Luciano Spalletti who, even if he was a great coach, was not exactly easy-going. I have absolutely nothing to complain about Antonio Conte. This was heard from someone who works with Napoli and it is very telling. Don`t listen to those who say that Paratici will bring Conte with him and that Antonio Conte will return to Juventus. Antonio Conte is at Napoli and he is staying here.”