Conte hurt by Juve links after agreeing Napoli stay
Antonio Conte says he was hurt by speculation linking him with former club Juventus after agreeing to remain as Napoli's head coach.
Conte guided the Partenopei to a second Scudetto in the space of three seasons last term, pipping Inter Milan to top spot on the final day of the campaign.
That led to the 55-year-old being linked with a return to former club Juventus, with which he won three successive Serie A titles between 2012 and 2014.
Conte had reportedly considered a second spell in Turin, before holding clear-the-air talks with Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis to address key issues.
However, the Partenopei boss, who has another two years on is contract, insists he was never in contact with his former club.
"I have had no contact with anyone, because to anyone who tried to contact me with third parties, I always replied that I would speak to the club at the end of the season, as is always done," he told Corriere della Sera.
"Only if the meeting had not satisfied the parties would I have opened up to another situation, having a contract with Napoli for another two years anyway."
On his discussion with De Laurentiis, he added: "In our meeting, we clarified things, talking was fundamental. He understood the mistakes or, in any case, the situations that need to be improved.
"I have a contract and the clarification was the key point. The rest were rumours that hurt. They didn't take into account how I am."
Napoli has already bolstered Conte's squad ahead of next season's title defence, with Kevin De Bruyne joining on a free transfer from Manchester City.
Jonathan David is reportedly of interest, too, while Jhon Duran is another attacker who has been linked to the defending champion.
