Antonio Conte left 'upset' by claims he would join Juventus this summer

Antonio Conte has revealed that he was unhappy with speculation linking him with a move to Juventus this summer.

Conte led Napoli to win last season’s Serie A title in his debut campaign. He joined the Blues on a three-year deal last summer.

The 55-year-old’s future at the club was uncertain, and reports emerged that he could return to the Old Lady, who parted ways with manager Thiago Motta after just nine months in charge.

Speaking to Sky Sport Italia, Conte disclosed that there was “no agreement whatsoever” with Juventus and that he decided not to speak with any club before holding talks with Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis.

Conte said: “What upsets me is that, just a month before the end of the season, there were talks of me going to Juventus, suggesting I could leave Napoli.

“I had no agreement whatsoever with Juventus. To anyone who tried to approach me, I said: ‘I won’t speak to anyone until I’ve talked with President De Laurentiis’.”

Asked whether his Napoli stay would further upset Juventus fans, Conte replied: “Only the stupid ones can follow these things.

“For me, Juventus was and will always be Juventus, just like Lecce.

“No one will ever be able to undermine the feelings I have for my own story and where I grew up. It bothers me because many people take advantage of my public image; I realise my name carries a certain weight.”

“I think everyone is aware of what happened in January,” he added.

“During the season, some things didn’t really make me happy. New players arrived only in the last week [of the summer window]. McTominay, Gilmour, Neres and Lukaku. Honestly, I didn’t like that.

“I believe I was good at accepting and not giving excuses to my players and myself. When you sign, there are honours and duties.

“When we spoke, they admitted there had been mistakes; it happens in the first year of marriage. As long as I was reassured on this aspect, we continued. We must defend the Scudetto and protect our work.”