Tottenham Hotspur are in a manager hunt after they sacked Jose Mourinho last season. They have held talks with some of the available managers including Italian tactician Antonio Conte. The former Inter Milan manager who won them the historic Serie A title this season snubbed the offer from Spurs.
Conte had to leave Inter as the Nerazzurri decided to sell first team players due to financial pressure. The Italian tactician is looking to return to the Premier League after his exploits with Chelsea. Hence Spurs looked like a viable option for the former Inter Milan boss. But he decided to turn down the SPurs offer at last.
Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, Conte said: “Generally, I like challenges and I’ve accepted many of them during my career.
“Even the top clubs I coached were never the favourites when I arrived. However, if there’s something that doesn’t convince me I prefer not to accept, regardless of the money.”
A lot of people found it odd that Conte left Inter after guiding them to the Serie A for the first time in 11 years. Inter president Steven Zhang earlier claimed that Conte left because he was unhappy with the club selling players due to the financial crisis imposed by the pandemic.
Zhang said earlier this month,” “We must reduce costs and control risks. This obviously also influences the transfer market strategy. Our different views on the situation led to the separation.
“What wasn’t fundamental for him, was for the club, and vice-versa. Conte is a top coach, but as president, I have to think about the solidity of the club.”
Conte replied that he respects Zhang and wants the best for Inter. “What I can say is that my project never changed, but it would be nonsense to discuss this now. I don’t want to create controversy or talk about transfers. I respect Zhang and I thank him for choosing me. I love Inter, the club and their fans.
“I wish [new Inter manager] Simone Inzaghi the best of luck because he is a very talented and ambitious coach, I wish all the best to the Nerazzurri.”`
Conte was chased by Spurs after he left Inter but the Italian turned down the offer. Hence the Lillywhites are looking at other options and they have identified former Roma manager Paulo Fonseca to fill the big boots at North London.
