Antonio Conte discusses the most influential figures in his career, including Carlo Ancelotti and Carlo Mazzone and appears to aim dig at Milan and Max Allegri over Andrea Pirlo: ‘Somebody thought his career was over….’
The Tottenham Hotspur coach has entered the Hall of Fame of Italian football. During his interview with the FIGC official website, he discussed the most influential people in his playing and coaching career.
Conte began his career as a footballer at Lecce before joining Juventus in 1991. They are the only two clubs Conte played for. The 52-year-old won everything in Turin, including one Champions League in 1996. He retired in 2004, returning to the club less than ten years later, leading the Old Lady to the first Scudetto after the Calciopoli era.
He has now entered the FIGC Hall of Fame along with other familiar faces such as Giovanni Trapattoni, Carlo Ancelotti and Arrigo Sacchi.
“I had winning coaches like Trapattoni, Sacchi, Ancelotti and Dino Zoff,” said Conte.
“At the same time, I worked with others who taught me a lot, like Mazzone and Eugenio Fascetti. They left a mark during the most important moment of my career, when I was a young footballer, using the carrot and stick. I’ll forever thank them because I wouldn’t be the person I am today without them.”
Conte enters Italy’s Hall of Fame and motivates ‘unlucky’ Azzurri
Conte brought Andrea Pirlo to Juventus in 2011. The former midfielder joined the Old Lady as a free agent from Milan, coached by Massimiliano Allegri at that time. Pirlo was one of the cornerstones of Conte’s Juventus that won three successive Scudetto before the coach resigned in 2014.
“Pirlo is one of the few people in the world of football with whom I share some moments off the pitch when possible,” Conte said.
Pirlo has also been inducted into the Hall of Fame, joining Italian legends such as Gigi Buffon, Alessandro Nesta, Alessandro Del Piero and Lele Oriali.
“Pirlo is an exceptional person, it was a pleasure to be his coach when he left Milan and somebody thought that his career was over,” said Conte.
“He was one of those who helped me the most to win the title at Juventus, along with Gigi Buffon and Alessandro Del Piero.
“I had a nice time with Nesta with the national team and was one of the finest Italian defenders ever.
“I met Oriali with the national team and then we worked together at Inter. He helped me so much, he is always an added value, he is a man who can be trusted, one who puts the team’s interest ahead of his’.
“He is totally dedicated to the group; when we have a chance, we meet off the pitch also with our families.”