Antonio Conte has made clear what sort of team he wants to join when he eventually returns to elite-level management seven months after being sacked by Tottenham.
The Italian enjoyed a stellar first season at the helm of Spurs, ensuring the north Londoners qualified for the Champions League at the expense of neighbours and fierce rivals Arsenal. However, things fell apart in spectacular fashion during his second term and his position as manager quickly became untenable.
Conte’s relationship with everyone from the fans, his own players and the board deteriorated to a point where his exit was the only logical outcome. His post-match press conference following a 3-3 draw away at Southampton, where Spurs surrendered their lead, became infamous due to his brutal assessment of his squad and the club he represented.
For the first time since his dismissal in March of this year, Conte is now being linked with another job as current Napoli head coach Rudi Garcia is believed to be on the verge of getting the sack. ex-Juventus boss Conte has emerged as a potential replacement given his knowledge of the Italian top flight, but he has quashed any claims suggesting his appointment at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona is imminent.
Speaking at a festival organised by Italian media outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport on Friday, Conte made clear he had no intention of inheriting a rebuilding project whenever the time comes to join his next club. In fact, his comments read as a slight jibe in the direction of former side Spurs and their lack of silverware in recent years.
“When I come back, it will be very hard for everyone else… I will be ready to give battle,” the 54-year-old said. “After Tottenham, I promised to dedicate time to family, it’s a lifestyle choice — one day, I’d like to coach a team that has recently won.”
Some have interpreted the remarks as a dig at Spurs, who are without a major trophy since the 2008 League Cup. However, it must be noted that the north London-based outfit have flown out of the traps this term under the guidance of Australian boss Ange Postecoglou.
“We are really tight as a group, which you see because not only are we winning games but apart from the football which has been good, the resilience we have shown has been great.”
