Giorgio Chiellini admits he would ‘hate’ to see Antonio Conte at Inter but believes Juventus have a ‘higher power’ in Cristiano Ronaldo.
Conte had been linked with returning to Juve as Max Allegri’s replacement, but the former Chelsea boss looks set to take the reins at Inter – regarded as the Old Lady’s fiercest rivals.
“You have no idea how many messages I receive every day about the Juve Coach,” Chiellini told Tuttosport.
Giorgio Chiellini admits he would ‘hate’ to see Antonio Conte at Inter but believes Juventus have a ‘higher power’ in Cristiano Ronaldo.
Conte had been linked with returning to Juve as Max Allegri’s replacement, but the former Chelsea boss looks set to take the reins at Inter – regarded as the Old Lady’s fiercest rivals.
“You have no idea how many messages I receive every day about the Juve Coach,” Chiellini told Tuttosport.
“I’m very calm. I don't know any more than you [journalists], but I’m convinced that a great Coach will come in.
“It was the right moment for Max to leave. He probably did something that won’t be repeated again.
“That’s why I wouldn’t be surprised to see him again at Juve in a few years. The love that Max has for Juventus and vice versa is so great that we’ll peacefully cross paths again.
“I’d hate to see Conte at Inter, but that’s life. I understand he’s a professional, but seeing him at Inter would be strange.
“It’s not a criticism, everyone knows I have a special relationship with Antonio. What can I say, I hope everything goes well for him but that he doesn’t win anything at Inter.
“It’s the truth, so much so that when he coached Chelsea I supported him. At Inter, no, I can’t do that, really…”
The defender then passed judgment on Cristiano Ronaldo and the Bianconeri’s Champions League exit to Ajax.
“He’s a deity, a higher power,” he continued.
“It was very important to fill the void that Gigi [Buffon] left behind. Cristiano was an example for everyone, with his dedication to work.
“He’s adapted to the city perfectly, he goes to restaurants, he’s curious. I wasn’t there against Ajax, but it's clear that you can’t go without so many players.
“This season we’ve not been able to count on crucial players like Khedira and Douglas Costa that much.
“I’m convinced that with Ronaldo in optimal condition, not like in Amsterdam where not even Douglas was fully fit, we would’ve gone through. I’d like to replay the tie 100 times.”
The Old Lady captain turns 35 in August, so is he thinking about the future?
“You think about it, it’s only natural. In August I’ll turn 35. I’ll play for another year or two, but it’s almost impossible that I’ll play for three.
“I’d like to take more of a directorial path than a field one. If I think about the future, I don’t think my life goes in hand with the life of a Coach.”