Latest news with #Conte
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Antonio Conte makes statement about Man Utd transfer he did not expect
Napoli boss Antonio Conte has revealed he was surprised that one Manchester United transfer was completed last summer with the Italian not expecting the deal to go ahead Antonio Conte has revealed he was surprised Napoli were able to sign Scott McTominay from Manchester United last summer. The Scotland international helped inspire a Serie A title win in his first season at the club as he played a pivotal role in the success. United accepted a £25.4million bid for McTominay as they parted ways with the academy product in August 2024, much to ex-Chelsea boss Conte's delight. Then Red Devils head coach Erik ten Hag blamed profit and sustainability rules for the sale of the midfielder, admitting he had mixed feelings about the deal. But while McTominay had struggled to secure a position in the Dutchman's starting XI consistently, he quickly proved his worth to Conte. The 27-year-old deliverd 12 goals and six assists in 34 appearances during his debut season in Italy, including six goals in the final seven matches as Napoli earned the title over Inter Milan on the final day of the season. And Conte was surprised to have McTominay at his disposal at all. Despite being told by club chiefs that his signature could be secured, the Italian thought Napoli's lack of European football could be problematic. But the 55-year-old knew the player was underutilised at Old Trafford. Conte was more than happy to take advantage of the opportunity. "Scott is a player whom I knew really well. He was born and raised at Manchester United," Conte told Sky Sport Italia. "I could see that he always made an impact when he played, but at the same time, I noticed he wasn't used as a key player at Manchester United. "He was hardly a starter. Honestly, we had talked about it with [Napoli director] Giovanni Manna. He told me it was a possible solution. "Sometimes, directors make up stories also to keep you calm. If you ask me: 'Have you ever thought McTominay would surely arrive?' I'd say no. "Don't forget we were heading into a season without European trophies to play for, so he had to leave Manchester United to start over with us." Conte was left with a single frustration, McTominay's signing happened too close to the end of the window. 'A bit late, but he arrived and I was very happy because Manna was good at signing him,' Conte said. 'We had discussed McTominay, but I didn't think he would really join us.' Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Today's Papers – Bonny wants Inter move, new Juventus target
La Gazzetta dello Sport Bonny sees himself as a Nerazzurro Inter, here I am There's an agreement with the striker, details are missing with Parma. Club World Cup: Chivu changes, draw against Monterrey. Thuram injured. Advertisement Inzaghi stops Real Madrid and makes himself another gift. Now Theo can say yes. Milan, what a revolution: Guerra in the middle Napoli, assault on Ndoye. Benitez: 'Conte, you are worthy of the Champions League.' Corriere dello Sport Gyokeres says no to Juventus: Arsenal closer Juve, new target Comolli votes for David Possible deal, Osi sees Arabia again The card '60m plus 10m add-ons' makes the English club move. The Lille striker, a free agent, asks for 7m per season, 12m for the agents and a signing bonus. Ndoye agrees Conte will have two wingers. Lang is also on the target. Toro pounce on Ngonge, Milinkovic path open again. Simone stops Real in his Al-Hilal debut Bologna, Immobile dream Inter study Rovella MaGaRa: Roma breakthrough Tuttosport Juventus meet Trump: Bianconeri House Team and directors in the Oval Office Advertisement Historic visit to Washington, before the debut on the Club World Cup. The US President, who was discussing the Iran war, talked to McKennie and Weah and addressed Elkann: 'A fantastic entrepreneur, coming from a winning family.' The players' emotions with Comolli, Scanavino, Chiellini and Infantino. Inter Mexico and clouds, Bonny arrives Inzaghi of Arabia stops Real! Vanja-Ngonge, steps forward Contacts have resumed for the goalkeeper on Conte's list. The Belgian winger would be glad to reunite with the coach who launched him at Verona. Left-back: negotiations with Benfica for Jurasek.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jadon Sancho linked with surprise Napoli switch
Napoli are reportedly interested in signing Manchester United's Jadon Sancho, according to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio. The 25-year-old winger returned to Old Trafford after spending last season on loan at Chelsea. Sancho had been hoping to stay at Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea baulked at his salary demands. Advertisement Napoli are exploring the possibility of bringing the attacker to Serie A this summer. They have already signed Kevin De Bruyne from Manchester City and Sancho could be their next acquisition from the Premier League. Sancho could flourish under Conte Sancho had a solid campaign with Chelsea, bagging five goals and ten assists in 42 appearances in all competitions. He helped the club win the Europa Conference League title at the end of the season. Sancho is known for his creativity, quick feet and strong dribbling skills. He is comfortable on both flanks and can also play behind the striker when needed. Advertisement His flair and confidence in one-on-one situations make him a constant threat to defenders. Conte is a fan of Sancho's direct style of play and believes he can add another dimension to Napoli's attack. A move to Italy would offer the winger a fresh start and regular playing time under a manager who values his strengths. He remains under contract at United, but it is unclear whether he is part of the club's plans. Napoli hope to take advantage and add another top talent from the Premier League to their squad.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Conte explains what angered him at Tottenham - 'Do not celebrate these things'
Former Tottenham manager Antonio Conte has reflected on his time in charge of the club and the Napoli boss has detailed one moment in particular which shocked him Antonio Conte has opened up about his time in charge of Tottenham and taken a dig at the club for celebrating for a top-four finish. Conte joined Spurs in November 2021 after Nuno Espirito Santo was sacked and they went on to finish fourth that season. Spurs finished two points ahead of fierce rivals Arsenal after beating them 3-0 in a North London derby clash with just two games left to play. As a result, Tottenham qualified for the Champions League and Arsenal ended up in the Europa League. And Conte was left shocked by the way his side celebrated finishing fourth, claiming that "going to the Champions League was like winning the Premier League". Reflecting on his time at Spurs, Conte told Sky Italia: "It was a difficult year at Tottenham. "I arrived in November with them ninth in the standings and we ended up in the Champions League, overtaking Arsenal… For them, going to the Champions League was like winning the Premier League. "On the last day, the Champions League entry was celebrated in the dressing room. I called my staff and told them: we don't get used to these celebrations. "You don't celebrate these things. We are used to celebrating other things. OK, great feat, but at the same time, we understand what kind of celebration it is." Conte was axed the following season after publicly criticising the club and questioning his squad's mentality following a 3-3 draw with Southampton where Spurs blew a 3-1 lead. "Why is it happening? Because they are used to it here, they are used to it," he fumed. "They don't play for something important yeah. They don't want to play under pressure, they don't want to play under stress. It is easy in this way. "Tottenham's story is this. 20 years there is the owner and they never won something but why The fault is only for the club, or for every manager that stay here. I have seen the managers that Tottenham had on the bench. "You risk to disrupt the figure of the manager and to protect the other situation in every moment. Until now I try to hide the situation but now no because I repeat I don't want to see what I have seen today because this is unacceptable and also unacceptable for the fans. "They follow us, pay the ticket and to see the team another time to have this type of performance is unacceptable. We have to think a lot about this."
The Sun
7 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Tudor signs new two-year deal with Juventus: club
IGOR TUDOR has signed a new contract with Juventus which will keep the Croatian coach in Turin for another two seasons, the Serie A club said on Friday. In a statement, Juve said that Tudor 'will lead the men's first team until 30 June, 2027, with an option to extend by another year until 30 June, 2028'. Juve's new general manager Damien Comolli had already confirmed earlier this week that Tudor, 47, would stay on as coach after the club failed to snatch Antonio Conte from Serie A champions Napoli. Juve had pushed to bring back club icon Conte, who won three straight league titles as coach of the Turin giants between 2011 and 2014. But Conte decided to stay at Napoli and defend the Scudetto, leading Juve to decide to stick with Tudor who replaced sacked Thiago Motta in March and guided the club to next season's Champions League. Tudor will lead Juve at the upcoming Club World Cup in the USA where the Italians face Al Ain, Wydad AC and Manchester City in the group stage. Juve are one of a minority of Serie A clubs to stick with their coach, with a host of changes already made less than three weeks after the end of last season.
