Napoli boss Carlo Ancelotti denies the squad has turned against him, but warns "it's an attitude problem. The fans are disappointed and I can only agree with them."
They suffered a shock 2-1 home defeat to Bologna that leaves them even further adrift of the Champions League places.
But Ancelotti says that despite what is being written in the media, the players are still with him.
Napoli boss Carlo Ancelotti denies the squad has turned against him, but warns "it's an attitude problem. The fans are disappointed and I can only agree with them."
They suffered a shock 2-1 home defeat to Bologna that leaves them even further adrift of the Champions League places.
But Ancelotti says that despite what is being written in the media, the players are still with him.
“The team is against the coach, they say. But it isn’t so. I have an excellent relationship with the squad. No one has ever failed to respect me. I don’t see any friction between the players and us," he said in a press conference.
“We exchange ideas every day, the situation must be resolved quickly, because we are failing badly.”
Dries Mertens and Jose Callejon’s contracts are expiring at the end of the season, so there have been rumours of Mertens moving to Inter and Callejon joining the Chinese Super League for a reunion with Rafa Benitez at Dalian Yifang.
“Mertens and Callejon haven’t talked to me about the transfer market. The contract situation must be handled by the club. I left out Callejon because of a tactical decision.”
Ancelotti was asked how he can turn the tide at Napoli and pointed the finger of blame squarely at his players.
“It’s not a problem of tactics, more of an attitude problem. Three days ago we showed great solidity against Liverpool, and we played with three midfielders.
“We have conceded many goals, it’s true, we need solidity, but it is the mental aspect that must be improved by taking even a smidgen of responsibility.
"The fans are disappointed and I can only agree with them. I must be more lucid in order to resolve this situation."
Napoli could now find themselves eight points away from the Champions League places, if Roma and Cagliari win their respective games this round.