Inter coach Antonio Conte reveals why his Inter side can’t be compared with those of José Mourinho and Helenio Herrera and says: ‘Jurgen Klopp won nothing in his first four years at Liverpool.’
The Nerazzurri boss has released an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“I am a hammer, I admit it,” the Italian coach said.
Inter coach Antonio Conte reveals why his Inter side can’t be compared with those of José Mourinho and Helenio Herrera and says: ‘Jurgen Klopp won nothing in his first four years at Liverpool.’
The Nerazzurri boss has released an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“I am a hammer, I admit it,” the Italian coach said.
“A target is reached when the opponents don’t only have 11 players in front of them, but they face a culture, an identity, a system of values, a passion and a collective purpose.
“Titles and cups are a consequence. Without a culture of victory you can never reach successes and the culture of victory can only be reached through hard work.”
Conte has been compared with Inter’s greats such as José Mourinho and Helenio Herrera, two of the most winning managers in the history of the club.
“The comparisons are flattering. And I feel the responsibility to achieve their same results.
“But let’s not confuse different historical phases of the club. Herrera and Mourinho’s Inter were consolidated realities. Teams with men who had already won so much.
“People of personality, accustomed to pressure, who took responsibility and never made mistakes in the decisive moments.
“Even my Inter has important values, I just don’t want to confuse different dimensions. We started much further back.
“Fans have the right to dream, but we must be aware that last season was anomalous and we did something incredible thanks to the mistakes of others. We finished one point off Juventus because, after winning the title, they dropped a little bit in the final games.
“I am more proud to have arrived ahead of Napoli, who were supposed to be title contenders. I remember the game we lost against Juventus before the lockdown. They showed they still have intact hunger for success. We are working to be on the same level.”
The former Chelsea boss is the better paid Serie A manager.
“What I earn is determined by what I’ve done in my career,” he said.
“No one gives you anything in football and even Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool won nothing in the first four years.
“It took time and important signings in each season to build a team among the best ones in the world.
“There has been an absolute dominating team in Italy over the last years. And when that happens, they dig a hole between them and the others, creating a gap.
“Those who often chase instead of fighting to fill it, have adapted to be the first among the seconds.
“You see the result of the pitch but games are won during the week, and to do that, everything needs to work, you need to work on every detail.
“When I came to Inter I knew nothing, neither the facilities, nor the environment, nor the members of the club, nor the health sector. It took a while to understand and to make me understand.
“Now I know everything and everyone, and it is a great advantage. Many things have been changed in a year: the fields, the guesthouse, the facilities, the habits. The club and those who work in Inter support me and they bear me, we are improving together.”
During the same interview, Conte did also discuss the situation of Christian Eriksen at the club.