Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis insists he's standing by coach Roberto Donadoni.

Donadoni's team have struggled in the opening weeks of the season, but De Laurentiis said: "After a few weeks these results can make you reflect on a number of variables that can also include the trainer, but they also make you think about examining your conscience.

"Seeing that I have broad shoulders and can take the responsibility, I have been asking myself if the signings we made in the summer were functional to Napoli's style of play.

"We have undoubtedly bought players of great personality and good professionals. I believe that they too could do more than they have done up until now.

"People in football expect immediacy, but I am a patient man," De Laurentiis explained.

"For me, short term results don't exist in football, but long term ones do. I have to build something solid."