Former Inter coach Antonio Conte admits he’d like an ‘experience abroad’ amid Tottenham Hotspur links. ‘I always chose the most difficult situation, not one that is comfortable.’
The tactician terminated his contract by mutual consent after winning the Serie A title, as he was not ready to accept a season with limited transfer resources and possible pay cuts.
He is now in negotiations with Spurs, but today DAZN released clips from an upcoming extensive interview with the coach.
“I think that I am not someone who is happy with just a comfortable situation. I always chose the most difficult situation instead,” said Conte.
“The objective was a three-year project to take Inter back to having ambition, to challenge for important targets. The fact I achieved that in my second season is very satisfying.
“It’s certainly not easy to be a coach, especially at the top level, because the expectations and stress really do increase. You must learn to live with these situations, knowing you will have to do it alone.”
Milan were the Winter Champions, top of the Serie A table at the midway stage, but Inter surged in front to secure the Scudetto with three weeks to spare.
“The decisive moment was when we overtook Milan, because that’s when we had to deal with the pressure of going from the hunter to the hunted, to realise from that moment on that the result was entirely in our hands. That can create anxiety, but instead we stepped up a gear.”
Conte is known for his determination and desperate will to win, so where does that come from?
“I had many injuries during my playing career and those gave me the strength to react to negative incidents, turning them into positive energy.
“As a player, I won everything it was possible to win, but I also lost a great deal. When you lose, it leaves within you the desire not to experience that again, so you do everything to transmit that to your players when you are a coach. It all comes from your scars and wanting to avoid getting more.”
Conte was asked where he sees himself in five years, although it looks as if some of that could be brought forward.
“I would like to have more experiences abroad. I’d also like to work in America.”