Tottenham boss Antonio Conte has been inducted into the FIGC Hall of Fame and has sent a motivational message to Roberto Mancini’s Azzurri: ‘They’ve been unlucky, but…’
The 52-year-old has entered Italy’s Hall of Fame following his achievement with the Azzurri as a coach. Conte led the Azzurri to the quarter-finals of Euro 2016 after collecting 20 senior caps during his playing career.
FIGC clarifies that Conte has entered the Hall of Fame thanks to his results in the dug-out, although he could have been named also for his achievements on the pitch. The former midfielder was part of the squads that lost the World Cup and Euro Finals in 1994 and 2000, respectively.
“I think that this award concerns my two careers as a coach and as a footballer,” he told FIGC’s official website.
“I won everything as a footballer [at a club level] and unfortunately, I missed something with the national team, considering that I’ve been World Cup and Euro runner-up. I’m trying to follow the same winning path as a coach.
“Entering Coverciano is always thrilling, just entering the gate gives strong emotions, as a footballer and as a coach. Coverciano will forever be my home.”
Roberto Mancini’s Italy are now training at the FIGC centre ahead of the World Cup play-offs. They will face North Macedonia in the semis on March 24 and could meet Turkey or Portugal in the Final on March 29. Conte sent a message to the Azzurri ahead of the next crucial game that will be played in Palermo.
“We were not lucky in the draw, but we know what to do,” the Tottenham boss said.
“Don’t forget that we are the champions of Europe. It won’t be easy because Italy and Portugal are among the best teams in the play-offs, but I think that we have everything to qualify. We must play at the World Cup.”
Antonio Conte è il quinto ex ct azzurro ad entrare nella categoria 'Allenatore' della Hall of Fame 💙🇮🇹 #Conte | #Nazionale | #Italia | #VivoAzzurro | #Azzurri | #HallOfFame https://t.co/RXfaBzdQnX
— Eurosport IT (@Eurosport_IT) March 22, 2022
Bravo Antonio. This is exactly what we need from a great coach.
Great from Conte 👍 Forza Mancini.. Forza Azzurri 🇮🇹👊🍀💙
Dai Raga’
Qualifichiamoci !