Manna: Napoli also eyed Gasperini; McTominay my best signing

📰 Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna has opened up on coaching choices, his best signings and Lukaku's sale. 📌 Key points 🧠 Gasperini and Conte were on his mind as coaching options when he arrived. 🔥 He said Allegri wants revenge after his Milan spell. 🥇 He named McTominay his number one signing. 🔄 Napoli wanted Gila first, but Milan were quicker. 💸 He admitted Lukaku's sale did not go as expected. 📝 What happened 🧠 Speaking on Master Group Sport's Colpi da Maestro podcast, Manna said: 'When I signed at Napoli, in my head there were Gasperini and him [Conte]. Two strong figures.' Of Conte he added: 'He made me win a historic Scudetto, and I hope it's not the last.' Napoli Magazine say the interview was recorded in early September and released on 29 October. 🔥 On Allegri, he said it was important to have a strong personality after Conte, even a different one, and that Allegri has a desire for revenge after his Milan experience. The pair also worked together at Juventus. 🥇 Asked to rank his signings, he put McTominay 'number one' and De Bruyne 'fourth, today'. He placed Badiashile at the bottom for now, saying there is still a lot of work to do. He also revealed Napoli first targeted Gila after Buongiorno's injury, but 'Milan were quick'. 💸 On Lukaku, he explained the three-year deal agreed with Chelsea was complicated, and the high salary plus the investment in Rasmus Hojlund as his replacement made things harder. Lukaku joined Fenerbahce in mid-August for €6m plus add-ons. Manna said the sale did not go as expected but Napoli were fortunate to find a buyer in a tough market, and wished well to a player 'who won the Scudetto with us'. 📊 By the numbers • Manna's ranking: McTominay first, De Bruyne fourth • Lukaku fee: €6m plus add-ons (Fenerbahce) • Lukaku at Fenerbahce: one goal and one assist in 13 games 🔭 Why it matters Gila, who chose Milan, has just returned from injury before the derby, while Napoli sit seventh on 14 points. Manna also said Napoli must start changing gradually after this season, as the cycle that began under Spalletti nears its end. Napoli visit Juventus on Sunday 1 November.