Antonio Conte has paid tribute to Massimiliano Allegri and backed Clarence Seedorf to become a success at Milan.
Antonio Conte has paid tribute to Massimiliano Allegri and backed Clarence Seedorf to become a success at Milan.
Speaking at his Press conference today, the Juventus” data-scaytid=”7″>Juventus Coach was asked of this week’s move from traditional title rivals Milan to replace 2011-Scudetto winner Allegri with the untried Seedorf.
“First of all, I want to take this opportunity to salute Allegri, who in these two-and-a-half years has proven to be a great opponent for Juventus,” Conte responded to reporters today.
“I am sorry when a nemesis, in quotes, but one that has always been highly respected as an opponent, in the end has to lay down their arms.
“I’m sorry because Max Allegri is a Coach that I respect and that in two-and-a-half years has been an opponent on the field and also in terms of communication, through the media, which is always a part of the game.
“For me there is a great deal of respect, let’s not forget that he won the Scudetto with Milan and has always qualified for the Champions League. I say goodbye with affection and hope to see him again soon.
“Having said that, the choice of Seedorf is important for a club like Milan. According to me, the message you are trying to send that they wanted to find a person, a champion who has won a lot in his career, that knows them very well, and the environment at Milan.
“Certainly he has no experience as a Coach, but knowing Clarence as an opponent, both as a player and a Coach, I think that he may have everything to become a great Coach.
“I also have to say that it does not matter where you start, it matters where you get to. I said on my presentation day at Juventus, when they asked me if I was happy to be fifth or sixth choice, I said, it doesn’t matter where you start, but where you end up.
“The Coach should be like a good tailor, try to dress their team in the most beautiful dress, the dress that suits them.
“Maybe sometimes it may not be the most beautiful dress, but it may be what best suits, which in the end brings more guarantees from all points of view.
“Again, I am the Coach, I try to train the players that the club makes available to me.”
Conte was also asked if he was surprised to see Alessandro Matri this week move from Milan to Fiorentina on loan, just six months after leaving Turin.
“For Alessandro, I have great affection because with us he was always an important player, he contributed significantly to our winning two Serie A titles.
“From a sporting point of view, indeed, more than that, from the human perspective, I may regret that things have not gone well for him at Milan.
“Yet, I repeat, I have great affection for a player who was very important for us. And he showed that in the two years, helping us to win two Scudetti.”