Antonio Conte took over a languishing Tottenham Hotspur side back in November last year and after a turbulent start, the Italian turned the fortunes of the club.
From their disqualification from the UEFA Conference League to a dramatic top four finish over arc rivals Arsenal, Conte earned his respect at Tottenham.
The club has reciprocated the same, rewarding a hefty transfer budget to their manager. Conte has so far welcomed a massive six signings at the club in Ivan Perisic, Yves Bissouma, Richarlison, Clement Lenglet, Fraser Foster and Djed Spence.
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy now looks up to Conte with the hope of winning Spurs’ first trophy since 2007/08. Meanwhile, Conte has now revealed his plans for the team, also talking about his future.
Antonio Conte on winning a title with Tottenham
Spurs are yet to win a league title since 1960/61, and every manager of theirs since then has faced the question of winning another title. Conte too has now been quizzed with the question, especially after signing six players this summer.
“You want to win the title. Yes, yes, I understand but I am realistic,” started Conte.
Further pointing towards his success with Inter, where he ended Juventus’ dominance over the scudetto Conte said, “Juventus had for many, many years, created a gap with Inter of more than 20 points.”
“In the first season, we reduced the gap. In the second season, we won but, in Italy, there was only one team to fight. Here there are many teams. Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea.”
“Chelsea last year won the Champions League and this year won the Club World Cup. Don’t forget Manchester United, they are strong, and Arsenal, also, going into the transfer market and spending money.”
“It will be a tough season and an exciting season but we have to try to push ourselves and try to improve. To improve in all the situations that can bring us to be competitive shortly.”
The Italian wants other teams to be ‘worried’ of his Tottenham side
Tottenham played in a robust manner under Conte in their stride to finish in the top four. His side drew twice against Liverpool, thrashed Arsenal in the North London derby and defeated Manchester City at home.
However, with new resources Conte is now aiming to make his Tottenham team an ‘invincible’. “My target is to try to be competitive. My target is that when the other teams are going to play against Tottenham, they will be not scared but a bit worried. This is our target.
“Then I have a group of players that need to have ambition together and to go another step.”
His future plans on staying at the club
Back in January, Antonio Conte publicly expressed his frustration over lack of reinforcements at the club. That sparked the rumours of the manager eyeing an exit at the end of the season.
However, Conte may have changed his future plans after an arguably successful campaign.
“When I arrived in November, I said that if we wanted to try to go up in the table, we would have to go together, to improve the team together but, at the same time, the players have to go to another level. To grow, grow, grow.
“I think we have a young team. We have many players that can play for Tottenham for three or four years together. We are trying to create a solid foundation, then to go step-by-step to improve and then in the end to fight for something important.”
Conte suggesting his desire to work with these players for another 3-4 years could indicate that he is ready to commit beyond his current deal which expires next summer.
“You know, football is always very strange. In this moment I’m very happy to stay at Tottenham, I’m very happy to work with this group of players, to work with the club.”
Working with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy and his former associate Fabio Paratici
Levy has stood by his word of providing £150-£200 million in funds if Conte won them the Champions League qualification. The chairman made available £150 million in May, with newly appointed managing director Fabio Paratici at the helm of spending it.
Paratici, who had already worked with Conte at Juventus has since concluded six signings for the club.
On his experience of working with Levy, Conte says, “We don’t have a problem and we are trying to create a great group also outside of the pitch with the club. In this moment, we have only one target: to go together in the same direction.
“I think we are doing well with Daniel and with Fabio. We want to continue to grow with ambition.”
“It is not simple for the club to go into the transfer market and sign players free like Perisic and Forster, sign players on loan like Lenglet, sign players with money like Richarlison, Bissouma and Spence.”
“When you go into the transfer market you try not to waste money but, up until now, I think we invested the right money. People have been surprised by the timing but when the vision is clear I feel confident. Fabio is helping a lot in this situation.”
“Then I go to train and try to improve the team and the squad. We are working very well but it is important to know we need patience. We have just started this path and other teams are signing important players and spending a lot of money.”
“We had the transfer window but so did they, and for years they have been ahead by 20 points, especially City and Liverpool.”
Antonio Conte will now start his first full-season at Tottenham with over half-a-dozen new faces. Expectations as always will be high from the Italian who has won a trophy at every club he is managed.