Spurs ‘ABANDON pursuit of Antonio Conte’
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Tottenham have reportedly abandoned their pursuit of Antonio Conte with the Italian holding reservations over taking the north London vacancy as a result of concerns about the club’s ambitions.
Sportsmail reported on Friday that Spurs were facing an anxious wait to discover whether Antonio Conte wants to become their new manager.
Talks between Spurs and the Italian are underway, but it was understood Conte has reservations about the club’s ambition.
And according to The Telegraph, Spurs have now called off their pursuit of the former Inter and Chelsea boss and will look elsewhere.
While Conte stalled over the offer from Spurs, the north Londoners also grew concerned with the 51-year-old’s age and whether he would offer first team opportunities to young players.
Fabrizio Romano also reports that Conte was unconvinced of the club’s project as well as an inability to bring more than four staff members, while their remained a big difference in salary expectations between the Italian and Spurs chiefs.
Conte was chairman Daniel Levy’s preferred candidate after missing out on Julian Nagelsmann and Brendan Rodgers. It is not yet known whether Spurs would go back to Conte if he altered his demands.
Spurs have also explored the option of bringing Mauricio Pochettino back to the club but luring him from Paris Saint-Germain have proved complicated.
Gallery: Premier League’s Big Six: Conte in talks to become Tottenham manager and Abramovich wants Lukaku (Daily Mail)
Former Chelsea boss Conte is used to winning trophies and wanted assurances that the club are serious about eventually challenging for major silverware.
Earlier today, Conte revealed he was open to leaving Italy and working abroad, having enjoyed success in west London with the Blues.
‘I would like to have more experiences abroad,’ Conte told DAZN. ‘I think that I am not someone who is happy with just a comfortable situation. I always chose the most difficult situation instead.
‘As a player, I won everything it was possible to win, but I also lost a great deal. When you lose, it leaves within you the desire not to experience that again, so you do everything to transmit that to your players when you are a coach. It all comes from your scars and wanting to avoid getting more.’
Meanwhile, Spurs are pressing ahead with their plan to appoint former Juventus sporting director Fabio Paratici, regardless of whether Conte joins.
The Spurs squad needs a major rebuild, which would require significant transfer funds and Conte wants guarantees that Tottenham are serious about investing in the squad.
Paratici is set to join in a role linked to player recruitment. He will work alongside the club’s current player transfer staffing structure.
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