Friend: 'Conte had Milan deal'

By Football Italia staff

Antonio Conte’s friend claims he “had a deal in hand with Milan and Juventus didn’t like that,” which prompted his departure.

Conte caused shockwaves when he terminated his contract by mutual consent on Tuesday evening, just two days into pre-season training.

Now journalist Massimo Giletti, a friend of Conte’s, revealed the Rossoneri were originally behind the split.

“I don’t think I’m revealing anything too secretive when I say Conte had a deal in hand with Milan and Juventus didn’t like that, so I think it made the situation more complex,” Giletti told RTL radio.

“Not many people knew this, but it’s not a big secret that Conte had an agreement with Milan. I think that is one of the many reasons behind this split, including tension after three years of success and the desire to try a new experience.

“He knew it would be difficult to win again with the same team and that probably pushed Conte to seek other important characters, like those he’d find at Milan.

“It is curious that Conte was meant to go to Milan and now Juve signed the ex-Milan Coach Massimiliano Allegri. It’s Kafkaesque.

“I think whoever arrived at Juventus would find huge difficulties, because they are replacing the man who revived Juventus and 60-70 per cent of their success is down to Conte.”

It had been reported the break occurred now because Conte was angry at the transfer strategy of Andrea Agnelli and Beppe Marotta.

“I have a very deep personal rapport with Conte,” continued Giletti. “This Juve has many players on the way out, some coming in, but a Coach who has no say in which buys are made will have to work with a team out of his control.

“It is all very difficult, an uphill struggle and that is a great shame. Have I spoken to Conte? I often speak to Conte, but I’ll never reveal what we said to each other.”

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