Antonio Conte appointed by Napoli as new manager [Update at Post#108]

[WengerOut]

Mr Conte and Mr Mourinho have some things in common. When the team wins, it is because of their strategy and if they lose, players are the problem. Not an iota of accountability or owning the problem.

 

[James]

All falling apart for Conte. It's the classic Mourinho-type cycle and it's nearly over. These pragmatic, stone-cold "winners" only win for a season or 2 with big, big funds. Words like "project" or "development" are alien to them, they specialise in moulding already elite talent into a trophy-winning system.

This pragmatic style might work in Serie A, where Mourinho is having a nice time now, but in the PL these days it's ineffective and laughed at. Almost every team in the league plays more attractive and entertaining football than Spurs, who just rely on magic from some star players. Yet, for all this pragmatism, they have conceded the first goal 10 matches in a row. This Conte team, who spent £170m in the summer, have conceded the most goals of the Big 7 this season.

He is hugely overrated and failing badly. Back to Italy is the move for Mr. Conte.

1-2 more poor results soon and I think Spurs will cut ties with the enigmatic Conte.

Daniel Levy always has his finger on the pulse and he will know full well that the fans aren’t happy, they’re not enjoying the turgid defensive style of football which is a throwback to 90s Serie A.

One can hear constant unrest in the stands whenever Tottenham give the ball away or concede another soft goal.

 

[MenInG]

Antonio Conte has reaffirmed his commitment to Tottenham despite contract extension talks continuing to stall.

The Italian’s current deal is due to expire in the summer with Spurs keen on tying him down to an extension, but Conte is yet to commit despite revealing he wants to stay at the club.

Conte was again questioned about his future ahead of Tottenham’s Premier League trip to Crystal Palace on Wednesday and once again spoke of his happiness at the club.

“I am happy but I always say to you I am happy, I want to stay here,” Conte told reporters in his pre-match press conference.

“I am enjoying my time in Tottenham, I am enjoying my work in Tottenham.

“I always say this and I am happy but it doesn’t mean I cannot tell you what we are doing. We are trying to create a base foundation.

“Maybe from the start of my experience here I am repeating always the same thing. It is difficult for me every day to repeat the same thing and for you not to understand. It is difficult.

“I am happy to stay here because I am at a modern club, I have a good relationship with the players and I have a good relationship with the club.

“I am really committed for this club and for Tottenham. Then there is this project and I signed a contract with this club to accept this project and try to build and help the club.

“During this process it can happen 1,000 things. The club can sack the manager or there are different visions, different situations.”

Spurs are currently experiencing a sticky patch in the league that has resulted in them losing their place in the top-four.

Conte’s side picked up just one point from their festive fixtures against Brentford and Aston Villa and below-par displays have put Heung-Min Son and captain Hugo Lloris in the firing line.

TalkSports

 

[Saj]

Important result tonight which will remove a bit of the pressure on him.

5th and only 2 points behind Man Utd.

 

[MenInG]

Tottenham boss Antonio Conte to Sky Sports: "It was difficult to come back after we conceded two goals. When we conceded the first, we had the possibility to level the game with Sonny and the keeper made a fantastic save. Then they scored the second goal. It could have killed everybody, but not my players as in the second half we tried with a big effort to score and create problems for Arsenal.

"The keeper made fantastic saves today. Arsenal is a difficult opponent now, like Man City. Both teams are going to contend for the Premier League title.

"We played against a strong team but at the same time I’ve not got great disappointment for the commitment of my players. They showed great will and desire to try and come back. Sometimes in the past we did, but today their keeper was really good.

"Arsenal showed to be a really good team. It wasn’t easy for them to play against us in this atmosphere but they have a great balance and suffer in the right moments. They showed great resilience in the second half.

“When a team does this, it means they are ready to fight to win the title with Man City. They are the only two teams who can fight for the Premier League this season.”

On Tottenham’s top-four chances: “We have to continue to work really hard and we will see our position at the end of the season. Be it Champions League or Europa League. Teams like Chelsea, Liverpool, Man United, Newcastle, also Brighton and Brentford. It is really difficult because every team can spend money and even the middle or lower teams have international players.”

On incident with Ramsdale: “I didn’t see it. I only see a big confusion and you are telling me now what happened. If it happened, it is not good. We always have to show respect for an opponent and the players. I don’t like it.”

 

[MenInG]

Tottenham boss Antonio Conte believes it is not his sole responsibility to explain the situation at the club and other figures should be held to account over the team's poor form.

Spurs were beaten 2-0 by leaders Arsenal on Sunday and have lost five of their past nine league games.

They have dropped to fifth in the table and face Manchester City on Thursday.

"In England I think there's a bad habit that it's only the coach [who] talks and explains," said Conte.

"I've never seen the medical department coming here to explain. I've never seen the club or the sporting director coming here to explain the strategy or vision of the club.

"In Italy, before every game there's a person from the club that goes to speak to the media.

"I think for us it could be really better, otherwise there is only one face to explain the situation that I think is better for the club to explain."

The Italian added: "I think it could be good for the club to be present in the media.

"Not every week, but at least every 15 days or once a month. I think it could be more simple for you to understand, otherwise it can seem [as] if something is a criticism or negative and it's not the case."

Spurs have taken just 10 points from the last 27 and are five points adrift of Newcastle United in third and fourth-placed Manchester United, who have a game in hand.

"If there is criticism then we have to accept [it] but it's difficult to understand because we are doing everything we can in this situation in our possibility," said Conte.

"The mentality of this team is very strong, but it's not only about the mentality."

BBC

 

[Firebat]

Tottenham head coach Antonio Conte is proud of his hard work and commitment to football management but admits losing three close friends has left him questioning his long-term future.

 

[MenInG]

Tottenham are defending like a "relegation team" and have "forgotten how to suffer" following a second successive defeat, says Antonio Conte.

Tottenham had a two-goal lead at half-time before eventually losing 4-2 to Manchester City on Thursday evening.

That Premier League defeat came four days after losing 2-0 at home to north London rivals Arsenal.

"We have to improve the spirit, the collaboration, the will, the desire, the feeling to suffer," said Conte.

"Maybe we have forgotten to suffer and to understand that if we want to win the game then maybe you have to stay there, to suffer like last season."

Tottenham, who take on Fulham on Monday, currently sit fifth in the Premier League table, five points outside the top four, having played an extra game.

They have already conceded 31 league goals this season, just nine fewer than in the entire 2021-22 campaign.

"To concede 21 goals in the last 10 games, this is usually a team that fight in the relegation zone," added Conte.

"Last season, I don't remember how many clean sheets with [goalkeeper] Hugo Lloris, but in every game this season we concede at least two goals.

"This is our medium, our average - like a team that is fighting in the relegation zone."

However, Conte believes the squad are still "making progress in some aspects" but there remains room for improvement.

"In other aspects I think we have to come back like last season and to be a bit more solid, a bit more focused, a bit more nasty," said Conte.

"We improved in many aspects because this season we are scoring many goals, we create many chances, our organisation to press is much better than last season."

BBC

 

[Firebat]

Antonio Conte: Tottenham boss to undergo gallbladder removal surgery

Tottenham manager Antonio Conte will have surgery to remove his gallbladder on Wednesday, the club have confirmed.

The 53-year-old Italian was diagnosed with cholecystitis, an inflammation of the gallbladder, after becoming "unwell with severe abdominal pain".

Spurs' next game is at home to second-placed Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday.

The club have said Conte will return "following a period of recuperation".

"Everyone at the club wishes him well," Tottenham added.

Conte's side are currently fifth in the Premier League table on 36 points, 14 points behind league leaders and north London rivals Arsenal.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64482279

 

[The_KING]

Tottenham finished top 4 last season under Conte and they are one point behind fourth place Newcastle this season.

I understand that Conte's style of play needs to be better, but I can't take Tottenham fans who want him sacked seriously. Conte is an elite coach and you aren't going to get a better manager than him. You guys need to humble yourself and remember that you lot don't win trophies. Be happy that you have Conte as your manager.

 

[MenInG]

Tottenham manager Antonio Conte returned to work on Thursday after surgery to remove his gallbladder.

Conte, 53, had the operation in his native Italy last week after suffering with severe abdominal pain, and missed Sunday's 1-0 win over Manchester City.

He returned to England on Wednesday, but it is not yet known if he will be on the touchline for Saturday's Premier League match at Leicester.

Meanwhile, Spurs midfielder Yves Bissouma is to have ankle surgery.

The Mali international will have an operation on Friday to repair a stress fracture to his left ankle, with a timescale for his recovery yet to be determined.

Speaking about Conte's return to training, Spurs assistant manager Cristian Stellini said: "This morning he was on the pitch with us.

"He has to take it easy for a bit but we were so happy to meet him again at the training ground. He spent time hugging everyone.

"He didn't speak about what he would do in the next match but he is back and we are happy."

Stellini, who took charge of Spurs for last Sunday's match, also confirmed that goalkeeper Hugo Lloris would be absent for "between five and seven weeks" with the knee injury he sustained against City.

He refused to be drawn on speculation over the future of Conte, whose contract expires at the end of the season, although Spurs do have the option to extend it by a further 12 months.

Conte joined Spurs in 2021 after ending his contract with Inter Milan.

"We have never spoken about this," said Stellini. "In football you cannot be relaxed if you have a contract or not.

"You have to work hard and when you approach the next game, you can't be relaxed and you live this with energy because you want to win, so you don't have time to talk about the future.

"This is our life, this is football, this is sport, you think about the next target you want to achieve. What you want to achieve is only this so you're not relaxed with or without a contract."

BBC

 

[Firebat]

Tottenham boss Antonio Conte will miss Sunday's Premier League game against West Ham and not return to work until he has made an "entire recovery" from surgery to remove his gallbladder.

 

[Firebat]

Tottenham head coach Antonio Conte says he'll discuss his future with the club at the end of the season and admits his team "don't have the foundation to win" after being knocked out of the Champions League.

 

[James]

Daniel Levy like all successful businessmen is both a smart and ruthless individual. There’s no way he will allow Antonio Conte to stink out the place for much longer after that insipid performance and the biggest collective home boo of the season. No way Conte gets to the end of the season. Even the end of this month is looking a long way away.

 

[Saj]

The pressure is increasing on him but I'm pretty sure Conte will have a huge payout clause if they sack him.

How they must be regretting getting rid of Mauricio Pochettino.

 

[Firebat]

Antonio Conte criticises Tottenham Hotspur ownership and 'selfish' players

A furious Antonio Conte says his players are "selfish" and Tottenham "can change the manager but the situation cannot change" in a stinging criticism of the club's culture.

The Spurs boss said his team "don't want to help each other" after a 3-3 draw at Southampton on Saturday.

"Tottenham's story is this - 20 years there is this owner and they never won something. Why?" Conte said.

Spurs had led by two goals at St Mary's but conceded twice in 15 minutes.

"The fault is only for the club, or for every manager that stay here?" said Conte. "I have seen the managers that Tottenham had on the bench. You risk to disrupt the figure of the manager and to protect the other situation in every moment.

"Until now I try to hide the situation but not now because, I repeat, I don't want to see what I have seen today because this is unacceptable and also unacceptable for the fans."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65002960

 

[Firebat]

A legendary rant

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Antonio Conte was absolutely furious: “I don’t want to hide it anymore — here is always the same”. &#55357;&#57000;️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/THFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#THFC</a><br><br>Here the press conference moment via <a href="https://twitter.com/HaytersTV?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HaytersTV</a> &#55356;&#57253;&#55357;&#56391;&#55356;&#57339; <a href="https://t.co/EupL0qfEdF">pic.twitter.com/EupL0qfEdF</a></p>— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) <a href="https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1637168075358236672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Firebat]

Conte's on his way out. Quite pathetic really, all that winning mentality nonsense and has basically thrown in the towel. Made his position untenable with that press conference and has now gone back to Italy while Ryan Mason leads training. Never seen someone beg for the sack as much as Conte.

 

[James]

Conte's on his way out. Quite pathetic really, all that winning mentality nonsense and has basically thrown in the towel. Made his position untenable with that press conference and has now gone back to Italy while Ryan Mason leads training. Never seen someone beg for the sack as much as Conte.

That press conference was a shocker. Conte is a man-child who has essentially downed tools. Amazing that he still hasn’t been sacked. I imagine that Daniel Levy is actively speaking with club lawyers trying to figure out how to do it without having to pay Conte any compo. (He doesn’t deserve it) — a remarkable situation at an extraordinary club.

 

[The_KING]

Conte is too good for Spurs anyway, who think they are a big club but they aren’t. Conte was obviously wrong to throw the players and owners under the bus in public, but he said nothing wrong. Tottenham are a complete joke of a football club.

 

[Firebat]

Antonio Conte: Tottenham manager leaves after 16 months in charge

Manager Antonio Conte has left Tottenham Hotspur by mutual consent after 16 months in charge.

Conte called the Spurs players "selfish" and criticised the club's culture in a remarkable news conference after their recent draw at Southampton.

Tottenham are fourth in the top flight but are out of all cup competitions.

Conte's assistant Cristian Stellini will step up as head coach for the rest of the season, with former midfielder Ryan Mason his deputy.

"We have 10 Premier League games remaining and we have a fight on our hands for a Champions League place," chairman Daniel Levy said.

"We all need to pull together. Everyone has to step up to ensure the highest possible finish for our club and amazing, loyal supporters."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64168691

 

[Firebat]

The inevitable has finally happened.

 

[The_KING]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Points in the Premier League since Antonio Conte took over at Spurs: <br><br> Man City - 134 Points<br> Arsenal - 121 Points<br> Liverpool - 112 Points<br> Spurs - 105 Points<br><br>Have Tottenham made the right decision to part ways with him? <a href="https://t.co/vHF4eQDtEE">pic.twitter.com/vHF4eQDtEE</a></p>— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/btsportfootball/status/1640119118417346560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Conte did a good job at Spurs, as well as he could have. Too bad he was managing a bunch of serial losers, which includes Harry Kane.

 

[MenInG]

Antonio Conte picked out the Tottenham fans for praise as he broke his silence on his departure from the club.

Spurs confirmed they had parted company with the Italian on Sunday evening, with his former assistant, Cristian Stellini taking the reins until the end of the season.

One of Conte’s final acts as Spurs boss was his stinging rant which saw him attack the ‘selfish’ players and also appear to question the club’s top brass after their 3-3 draw to Southampton on March 18.

He was roundly criticised for the rant, but it certainly wasn’t lacking in passion, something Conte said is central to the game in his parting message.

“Football is passion,” Conte said. “I would like to deeply thank everyone at Spurs who appreciated and shared my passion and my intense way of living football as a coach.

“A special thought to the fans who always showed me support and appreciation, it’s been unforgettable to hear them singing my name.

“Our journey together has ended, I wish you all the best for the future. Antonio.”

Stellini has replaced Conte on an interim basis with Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann emerging as a frontrunner for the post on a permanent basis.

TalkSport

 

[James]

The right decision. Conte had made things untenably toxic at Spurs. I am expecting them to enjoy a new manager bounce now that he’s gone and they have appointed the assistant who has already built up a good record of results during Conte’s numerous absences.

 

[Saj]

Good move by Conte.

He wanted to leave and as soon as he spoke at that press conference he knew that he would get his wish.

 

[Firebat]

Tottenham forward Richarlison has denied that he led a player "mutiny" against former manager Antonio Conte.

Conte, 53, left Spurs by mutual consent on Sunday after 16 months in charge.

Brazil international Richarlison, who joined Spurs from Everton for £60m in July, criticised a journalist for the "awful lie" and apologised to Italian Conte for his performances this season.

"I wasn't a mutiny leader against him, it was quite the opposite," Richarlison, 25, wrote on Twitter.

"I'm sorry I didn't deliver as much as he expected of me and I didn't do enough for him to stay.

"When he left, I sent him a message thanking him for everything and wishing him the best because that's what he deserves!."

 

[BouncerGuy]

Napoli appoint Conte as new manager

Former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte has been appointed the new boss of Napoli on a three-year deal.

The 54-year-old has not managed since he left Spurs by mutual consent in March 2023 after 16 months in charge.

Despite a disappointing time in North London, Conte has had a decorated coaching career after winning the Premier League in his first season at Chelsea (2016-17) and the FA Cup in his second before being sacked in 2018.

"Napoli is a place of global importance. I am happy and excited at the idea of sitting on the blue bench," Conte said, who guided Inter Milan to their first Serie A title in 11 years back in 2021.

"I can certainly promise one thing, I will do my utmost for the growth of the team and the club. My commitment, together with that of my staff, it will be total."

The Italian also guided a dominant Juventus to three Serie A titles in a row between 2011-2014.

Napoli, who won Serie A for first time in 33 years last year, have struggled to replicate that achievement and finished tenth in the league.

Their poor form resulted in Slovakia boss Francesco Calzona joining the club in February on a short-term deal to the end of season, after sacking manager Walter Mazzarri after just three months in charge.

BBC

 

[Amjid Javed]

Conte is suited to Serie A, so won't be shocked if napoli challenge and even win title again