Antonio Conte insists Hary Kane’s dream is to win at Tottenham and reveals the first three things he must do to win in North London.
The Italian tactician released a lengthy interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper.
Conte, a former Juventus, Italy and Inter coach, discussed his methods and what Tottenham need to become a winning club.
The Premier League side appointed Conte at the beginning of the month and the former Chelsea boss signed an 18-month contract in North London.
“Here, there is everything to work at your best, but there is also a lot to do. You have to be patient and I will have to be good at finding it too,” Conte said.
“Tottenham have the ambition to win in every field. There are incredible facilities here, from the stadium to the training centre, definitely the best one I’ve ever seen,” he continued.
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“I thought that such an organisation deserved adequate sporting results. I saw a challenge in front of me and the light that makes me multiply my energies, but now we have two gaps to fill.
“The first is internal: a team adequate to these infrastructures. The second is external: be worthy to the top Premier League clubs. I know how much they trust me and I am delighted with it. The Premier League is the most competitive league in the world.
“There are four top clubs like Man United, City, Chelsea and Liverpool, but also ambitious and rich clubs such as Everton, Arsenal and West Ham. They all want to invest, now, there’s Newcastle too.”
But what do Tottenham need to win?
“First of all, eliminate highs and lows. When I arrived at Inter I said: ‘I don’t want to hear Pazza Inter again.’ Stability is needed to stay at the top. It’s useless to win against the leaders and lose against a smaller team.
“Then we need to change mentality: we can’t be satisfied, but believe that we can win. We need to remove this negative aura that is around teams that, in the end, never win.
“Third thing: adopt my method, intense work and attention to detail and tactic.
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“We have a young team with ample room for improvement. We don’t have much experience but we must make up for it with hard work and enthusiasm. We’d be happy to earn a top-four finish, that would mean to leapfrog one of the best four clubs.”
Conte had been in talks with Tottenham over the summer, but refused their offer, changing his mind only a few months later.
“Only the Premier League’s charm could convince me to get back on track so soon,” the Italian tactician explained.
“When President Levy first approached me in June, I thanked him but I didn’t feel like I could take the job.
“With time, people will understand the importance of the title I won at Inter after two years of extraordinary work.
“We broke down the hegemony of Juve, it was a tough job that ended with the joy for the title, but also the disappointment for the change of programs and expectations that led to the breakup.
“I needed to rest, but Levy proved he wanted me at all costs and I’ve understood his vision. [Tottenham director Fabio] Paratici was an important element, it’s helpful to know that you can work with people that you know.”
The future of Harry Kane has been one of the most debated issues in England over the last few months. The Tottenham star wanted to move on and join Manchester City in the summer, but Spurs rejected every offer they received.
Now, Conte suggests that the English striker doesn’t want to leave as his dream is to win with Tottenham.
“He is a top player, I have the pleasure to coach him and he is a player that understands everything straight away,” the Italian coach said.
“If you explain him something, he’d do it after one minute. He has quality, talent and physical strength. His dream is to win with Tottenham and I want to help him achieve it.
“I’ve always accepted difficult jobs, but this one at Tottenham is definitely the most challenging one, but also the one that motivates me the most.”
Nostra intervista a #Conte: "Ho rovesciato la monarchia Juve. Lo scudetto? È corsa a 3" https://t.co/GPgoGNJBfT
— La Gazzetta dello Sport (@Gazzetta_it) November 20, 2021
In one year or 2, he will start to make problems so he can force himself out and demand a big compensation, just wait and see. He did just that wherever he went.