‘I hope that someday there will be the possibility of having this experience.’
Browsing: Antonio Conte
Antonio Conte was sacked by Spurs last season (Picture: Getty)
Antonio Conte has no intention of returning to management with a team without a recent track record of winning.
The 54-year-old was sacked by Tottenham earlier this year following the spectacular disintegration of his relationship with the club’s board, fans and even his own players.
Conte became an instant hit at Spurs after he unlikely masterminded Champions League qualification during his first season but after failing to secure a number of key transfer targets he was unable to build on that early success.
With Napoli head coach Rudi Garcia apparently on the verge of losing his job, Conte has been linked with a move to the reigning Serie A champions but distanced himself from that potential vacancy earlier this week.
Speaking at festival organised by La Gazzetta dello Sport on Friday night, meanwhile, Conte insisted he had no intention of taking on a rebuilding project as and when he joins his next club.
Antonio Conte has been linked with a move to Napoli (Picture: Getty)
‘When I come back, it will be very hard for everyone else… I will be ready to give battle,’ he 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.’
Napoli’s hopes of retaining the Scudetto have been hit following a mediocre start to the new season which sees them in fifth place, already seven points behind leaders AC Milan.
Despite a poor run of form, ex-Napoli skipper Kalidou Koulibaly believes the under-fire Garcia deserves more time to turn things around.
More: TrendingGareth Southgate slams fans at Wembley for booing England star during Australia winAntony’s ex-girlfriend’s lawyer abandons domestic abuse case against Man Utd starIran responds to reports of Cristiano Ronaldo facing 99 lashes for adultery
‘Garcia is a great coach and he needs time to adapt, just like other coaches did in the past,’ Koulibaly said in an Instagram live interview.
‘The players are with him, I spoke to two or three of them and they confirmed that to me.
‘They just need to keep working and everything will go well. I hope for him that the club has patience to let him get on with the job.’
MORE : Antonio Conte ready to accept Napoli offer to replace Rudi Garcia
MORE : Daniel Levy admits ‘mistake’ with Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte at Tottenham
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Tottenham must find a way to stop the rot
Life at Conte – ‘Tottenham need to stop being Spursy’ The Italian was given his marching orders a few weeks…
Stellini will take charge of Spurs for the remainder of the season.
‘They should have kept him!’
The Italian has been dismissed after slamming his players – and the club – at the weekend.
Mirror Sport – ‘It’s two Italian sob stories’ The Mirror back page is split between Antonio Conte, who flew back…
‘The race for the Champions League will be really, really tough.’
The Guardian Sport – ‘Conte exit looms’ Tottenham will discuss the merits of both Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel as…
The candidates to replace Conte are being lined up.
‘We can’t play like this needing a goal, we have to put people forward.’
Stale football, an expiring contract and the looming spectre of Mauricio Pochettino.
‘We live for this type of game, we live for this type of moment.’
With injuries elsewhere, they could have key roles to play this season.
Inexperienced midfield duo Pape Matar Sarr and Oliver Skipp to step in.
