Kenneth Taylor and Lazio smooth over training clash: 'Kon' peace pipe

On a sunny Thursday morning at Lazio’s training ground, 24‑year‑old midfielder Kenneth Taylor and new Lazio‑trainer Gennaro Gattuso were seen sharing a symbolic peace pipe, a gesture De described with the word ‘Kon’, after a heated dispute that had seen Taylor asked to leave the session.

Footage released on Thursday 30 July showed Taylor and Gattuso in a heated exchange, after which the midfielder was instructed to leave the training session. The video quickly went viral, highlighting the tension between the 24‑year‑old and the newly appointed Lazio‑trainer.

Guido Albers, Taylor’s representative, later described the episode as a ‘storm in a glass of water’ and insisted there was no lasting conflict between the player and Gennaro Gattuso. He added that the two men met again immediately after the session to discuss the matter.

Following the morning drill, Taylor and Gattuso shared the symbolic peace pipe, a gesture De reported using the word ‘Kon’ to denote appreciation. Later that day, during the second training, Taylor was back on the pitch as a regular participant.

De quoted the situation, writing, ‘Although the emotions ran high, Gattuso later managed to appreciate it.’ The newspaper’s comment underscores the rapid de‑escalation of the incident.

Taylor has been under contract with Lazio since the start of 2026, after the Italian club paid just over sixteen million euros to acquire him from Ajax. Since joining the Biancocelesti, he has featured in twenty‑one Serie A matches.

Lazio finished ninth in Serie A last season and entered the current campaign under Gattuso’s leadership. The former Italy national team coach previously managed Olympique Marseille, Valencia, Napoli and AC Milan.