Antonio Conte launches fresh Man Utd dig after latest Napoli triumph
Napoli have won two trophies in a calendar year for the first time since 1990, with help from ex-Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay and on-loan Red Devils striker Rasmus Hojlund
Antonio Conte had a dig at Manchester United after two ex-Old Trafford stars helped Napoli emulate Diego Maradona and win the Italian Supercoppa. The former Chelsea and Spurs boss led the southern giant to the Scudetto in his first season in 2024/25 with Romelu Lukuku top scorer.
And now Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund – who was loaned after the Belgian suffered a thigh injury in pre-season – have starred in the 2-0 win over Bologna in Saudi Arabia. The Scotland star was named Serie A player of the year after netting 13 goals from midfield after his £25.7million sale by United in August 2024.
And Hojlund, who cost the Old Trafford club £72m, has now scored seven times back in Italy as Napoli won the Scudetto and the Supercoppa in the same year for the first time since 1990 with Maradona. The Dane posted a picture of himself with the trophy on social media with the caption: “What a great decision looks like.”
And Conte said: “Everyone used to say Rasmus didn’t play in Manchester, neither did McTominay, so why? Ask yourselves some questions there. The staff and I had work to do, there is a reason we are here, after all.”
Ex-Premier League stars Kevin De Bruyne, Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa and Billy Gilmour were all out injured as Brazilian David Neres scored both goals in Saudi Arabia. And Conte added: “The first goal was a moment of magic from an individual, but the other chances were all prepared by analysing how to cause problems for Bologna.
READ MORE: Scott McTominay tackles Man Utd ‘myth’ he heard about himself after rise to Napoli superstardomREAD MORE: Rasmus Hojlund takes brutal dig at Man Utd and Ruben Amorim after Napoli success
“Our job as a coach is to increase the knowledge of a player and make him stronger. I feel like everyone I worked with emerged improved, in tactical understanding and movements, but also in mentality.”
Conte, who won the Premier League and FA Cup at Chelsea, lifted his 10th major trophy – and then admitted he was motivated by his past failures. “I can tell you that nobody bothers looking up the beaten finalists, because I’ve lost many as a player and a coach and they made me more mean,” said the former Italy head coach.
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“Nobody remembers I was runner-up in the World Cup, European Championship finalist, or lost three Champions League Finals. They remember that as a player I won one Champions League and one Intercontinental Cup.
“When you lose a final, it increases your determination, and you try not to experience those ugly moments again. They hurt because you know that it was a good journey, but you’ve got to put that cherry on top of the cake.”
President Aurelio de Laurentiis said: “Not since the Maradona era have we won two trophies in a year. Conte is a master.”
This latest triumph comes only six weeks after Napoli lost 2-0 at Bologna in Serie A and Conte launched a stinging attack on his player before missing training. “We must do something,” he said. “I don’t want to accompany a dead man”.
But they go into 2026 sitting third in Serie A, although they are down in 23rd in the Champions League.
Former England manager Fabio Capello told Gazzetta dello Sport: “Let’s not joke. What crisis? Napoli has excellent players and a winning coach in Conte, now Lukaku and other injured players are back.
“The Supercoppa win will be very important for the players’ mentality. A psychological turning point that will also boost them in the league.”
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