Conte: 'Icardi and Radja decision made'

By Football Italia staff

Antonio Conte confirms he did not exclude Radja Nainggolan and Mauro Icardi, as Inter had already made the decision. “All I did was back the club’s vision.”

The two players were told in no uncertain terms by director general Beppe Marotta this week that they are not in the Nerazzurri’s plans.

During today’s Press conference, Conte was asked why he had decided to go on without them, but revealed this pre-dated his arrival.

“With regards to Icardi and Nainggolan, the club had enough time to evaluate the situation and make the decision. All I did was back the club’s vision. Coach and club should work as one and we are totally unified on this.”

The tactician was a surprise appointment at San Siro, so why did he take up the notoriously difficult job?

“It’s a difficult path, but also an intriguing one. Most of us live our life for this type of challenge, one that is very difficult to achieve. It is a difficult challenge for me, but also the best.

“I like those challenges where you have a one per cent chance of victory and to work on that one per cent.

“I don’t consider it the most difficult test of my career, although I do want to take a moment to underline the achievements of Luciano Spalletti. He arrived after years in which Inter hadn’t qualified for the Champions League, then did that two seasons in a row, so he left me solid foundations to work on.

“Our objective is to be more stable, more reliable, look forward rather than over our shoulders.”

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