By Andrew Warshaw
November 3 – New Tottenham manager Antonio Conte says the club’s chairman Daniel Levy played a vital role in his decision to come back to the Premier League following the sacking of Nuno Espirito Santo on Monday.
Nuno lasted just four months in charge after being appointed in June when Tottenham, despite advanced talks, were unable to acquire the services of Conte, who won the Premier League and FA Cup with Chelsea and recently, back in Italy, took Inter Milan to the Italian title.
“I am extremely happy to return to coaching, and to do so at a Premier League club that has the ambition to be a protagonist again,” Conte said upon the announcement of his arrival.
“I can’t wait to start working to convey to the team and the fans the passion, mentality and determination that have always distinguished me, as a player and as a coach.
“Last summer our union did not happen because the end of my relationship with Inter was still too recent and emotionally too involved with the end of the season, so I felt that it wasn’t yet the right time to return to coaching.
“But the contagious enthusiasm and determination of Daniel Levy in wanting to entrust me with this task had already hit the mark. Now that the opportunity has returned, I have chosen to take it with great conviction.”
Conte has signed an 18-month contract and despite his warm comments about Levy, it is far more likely that Spurs managing director of football Fabio Paratici got the deal over the line given the strong relationship between the Italian pair who worked together at Juventus.
Conte is a serial winner but that was also what many punters felt about Jose Mourinho and everyone remembers how that relationship with Spurs ended in tears not so long ago.
Spurs will hope Conte’s more modern approach, recent track record and intense style of management will produce a different outcome and that he can turn Spurs back into a force in English football once again.
One of his first tasks – along with restoring confidence and watchable, eye-catching football — will be to persuade goalscoring talisman Harry Kane to remain at the club. Kane has been woefully out of form ever since Spurs refused to let him go in the summer.
The whole scenario has damaged Kane’s relationship with some Spurs fans as has the club’s negative way of playing.
Tottenham have scored just nine goals from their 10 league games – only bottom club Norwich have scored fewer. They are also in the bottom two for shots on goal and chances created.
Their defensive record is almost as bad and Conte, who also managed the Italian national team between 2014 and 2016 but isn’t used to joining a club in mid-season, will have to hit the ground running.
After landing Conte at the second attempt Paratici said: “We are delighted to welcome Antonio to the Club. His track record speaks for itself, with vast experience and trophies in both Italy and England.
“I know first-hand the qualities Antonio can bring to us, having worked with him at Juventus, and look forward to seeing his work with our talented group of players.”
While Conte’s appointment represents an undoubted doubt a coup for Spurs (Newcastle’s new Saudi owners were reportedly also interested in hiring him), he rarely stays at a single club for long, suggesting he is a quick fix rather than a long-term replacement for fans’ favourite Mauricio Pochettino.
But if, during his time at the club (he has an option to extend) he can restore pride and pick up a trophy or two – Spurs haven’t won any silverware since 2008 – the blue and white half of north London will be more than happy.
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