Antonio Conte, the Italian manager renowned for his tenure at both Chelsea and Tottenham, shared insights into his managerial career and philosophy in an interview with The Telegraph. Conte, who managed Chelsea from 2016 to 2018, led the Blues to a Premier League title in his first season (2016-2017) and an FA Cup victory in his second. Despite his successes, the Italian revealed missed opportunities that could have further cemented his legacy at the club.
During his time at Chelsea, Conte disclosed that he had talks about bringing in key players to strengthen the squad. “After my first season at Chelsea, we spoke with Romelu Lukaku and Virgil van Dijk” he revealed. Conte believed that the addition of these “two important players” could have drastically changed the team’s fortunes. “After the first season, we could have become dominant in England,” he stated, hinting at a missed opportunity to build a lasting dynasty at Chelsea.
Antonio Conte could not bring himself to wildly celebrate finishing fourth
The Italian 🇮🇹 gives his first interview since ➡️ leaving Spurs in 2023#TelegraphFootball | @Matt_Law_DT
— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) February 14, 2024
Conte’s Chelsea amassed a remarkable record, securing the Premier League title with a then-record 30 wins in a single season. However, his tenure also saw moments of tension, particularly in the transfer market, which ultimately led to his departure in 2018.
The Italian tactician also reflected on his time at Tottenham, where he was in charge from November 2021 until 2023. Known for his winning mentality, Conte found it peculiar to celebrate a fourth-place finish, which the Spurs achieved under his guidance, securing Champions League qualification. “For me, to celebrate fourth place was strange” the Italian admitted. After the final game against Norwich, he recalled advising his staff, “pay attention, don’t be used to celebrating a Champions League place.”
Conte, who has a history of winning titles with Juventus and Inter in Serie A, as well as his successes at Chelsea, emphasized his discomfort with settling for less. “I’m used to winning, not to celebrate 4th place,” he declared, underscoring his ambition and dedication to achieving the highest possible standards.