Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis confirms the report he cancelled Max Allegri’s press conference 10 minutes before it was due to begin, but insists ‘there’s no controversy.’
The squad was put into a training retreat from Friday to prepare for Sunday’s Serie A showdown with current leaders Lazio.
PORTO, PORTUGAL – NOVEMBER 04: Massimiliano Allegri, Manager of SSC Napoli, looks on before the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD4 match between FC Porto and SSC Napoli at Estadio do Dragao on November 04, 2026 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Diogo Cardoso/Getty Images)
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This was a response to the recent defeats to Juventus and FC Porto, capitulating 4-1 in the Champions League on Wednesday evening.
Allegri was all ready to speak in the press room this afternoon, with the journalists assembled and equipment set up when it was suddenly announced the whole event was cancelled.
De Laurentiis takes Napoli stand
NAPLES, ITALY – JULY 14: Massimiliano Allegri new SSC Napoli head coach with Aurelio De Laurentiis SSC Napoli president Massimiliano Allegri is presented as the new SSC Napoli head coach at Teatro di San Carlo on July 14, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
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“There is no controversy at Napoli,” wrote President De Laurentiis on his social media channels after reports he was the one who made the call to cancel.
“When I realised that we were about to hold yet another press conference, I preferred to block it. Why? Because I don’t think press conferences are necessary before every game, considering we play every three days.
“We are in a training retreat, and we must avoid any kind of distraction to take away the players’ concentration on the match. When we go into a retreat, there must be total protection.”
NAPLES, ITALY – JULY 14: Aurelio De Laurentiis SSC Napoli president as Massimiliano Allegri is unveiled as the new SSC Napoli head coach at Teatro di San Carlo on July 14, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
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Inevitably, this will further fuel reports that De Laurentiis is losing confidence in Allegri, the coach he chose to replace Antonio Conte over the summer even after the tactician was sacked by Milan for missing out on the top four.
Napoli have struggled badly this season, emerging with five wins, two draws and seven defeats, scoring 23 goals and conceding 24.
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