Antonio Conte confirms he wants to continue taking time out to be with his family, but it won’t be for much longer. ‘When I return, it’ll be tough for everyone else.’
The coach was heavily linked with the Napoli job over the last few days with Rudi Garcia on the verge of being fired, but wrote on Instagram Stories that he was in no rush to get back to work.
He terminated the contract with Tottenham Hotspur by mutual consent in March and today spoke at a Gazzetta dello Sport event.
“Stress is fuel for me, pressure provides motivation, because when you do win, it is even better,” said Conte.
“There is positive and negative stress, for me it is energy and pure adrenaline. At the final whistle when we have won, it is joy to share with everyone. I work very hard to reach those moments.
“Now I have unplugged to spend more time with my family and for myself. I continue studying, seeing what changes there are in the sport and understand new situations.
“When I do return, I will be even more ready to handle the top challenges.”
Without naming the club, Conte did reference the rumours around the Napoli job, where he was first choice for President Aurelio De Laurentiis to step in for Rudi Garcia.
“I know that some stories emerged, but now I feel the need to dedicate time to myself and my daughter, who is growing up. It is a lifestyle choice.
“After that, I will be ready to get back to the battle. And when I do, it will be tough for everyone else.”
Also when speaking at this event, Conte mentioned an ambition that sounds like he would be intrigued by the Napoli role, who have struggled under Garcia after Luciano Spalletti won the Scudetto last season.
“One day I would like to train a team that had recently won, because for example I took Chelsea coming off seventh place, Juve were seventh too.”