Conte demands 'courtesy & respect'

By Football Italia staff

New Inter boss Antonio Conte is demanding ‘courtesy and respect’ from his players and is not afraid of setting ‘ambitious targets’.

Conte was appointed as Inter’s new Coach on Friday and succeeds Luciano Spalletti, who re-established the Nerazzurri as a Champions League club in his two seasons.

“My first impressions have been positive,” the former Juventus tactician told the club’s YouTube channel.

“For me, it’s a new experience, a new chapter in my life, a new challenge. This is what I live for and I’m really excited to begin this new chapter.

“I would like to thank the President for his wonderful words. Through my work, I’ll try to repay all of the trust that the Club and directors have placed in me.

“What struck me was the clear aims of the project, the professionalism, the ambition, the Club’s history – this is a top club, one of the best in Italy and throughout the world – and the desire that the owners have to bring Inter back to where it belongs.

“This is a Club that wants to return to being at the highest level in Italy, Europe and throughout the world. This is what impressed me and helped me to make this decision – I didn’t have any doubts.

“I know there will be great expectations due to what I’ve done in the past, my history in football and the victories I’ve achieved.

“I have very high personal expectations, I’m the first to put myself under great pressure. I live for my work, to try to do my best and to win.

“Everyone will have to put in the work, and by that I mean everyone who works for Inter.

“We need to have the same ambition, the same hunger, the same determination, the same enthusiasm to bring Inter back to winning ways, back to where it deserves to be.

“I constantly like using two words to ensure that the message is very clear and simple: courtesy and respect. I show courtesy and respect and demand courtesy and respect at the same time.

“I think these are two key words if you want to build something important in general and always have respect for the different roles.

“There needs to be great willingness to work in an important way for the Club. There needs to be a great deal of enthusiasm, passion and heart.

“What I ask for is a sense of belonging because I think this is important if you want to achieve ambitious targets. Given that we are Inter, we need to set ambitious targets.”

The 49-year-old was then asked about his time in England with Chelsea, as well as revealing his pick for tomorrow’s Champions League Final between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

“It’s certainly the case that English football is the most competitive on the planet,” he continued.

“You just need to remember that there are six sides who start the season aiming to win the Premier League.

“It’s very difficult to get your hands on a trophy in England. I think that a period of growth has begun in Italy.

“It’s important to have owners operating on solid foundations and with a vision. Owners that not only bring international ideas to Italy but also have good football expertise.

“I think this is the right mix in order to return to being competitive at the highest levels.”

“[The Final] is not easy to predict. I think Liverpool are the slight favourites over Tottenham.

“Klopp’s team did really well in the league this year, just missing out in a photo finish against City. Last year, they lost the final, I think they’re the favourites this year.”

Having spent two years in London, the ex-Italy CT will hope to spend the next three campaigns in another cosmopolitan city...

“I think Milan has developed a lot over the past few years and has become one of the most attractive cities in the world.

“I’m here following an experience in London, and when I arrive in a city my family encourage me to explore and experience it because I’m very absorbed in my work.

“I often neglect the tourist side of things. However, I’m very happy to embark on this new life experience and have the opportunity to live in Milan, a magnificent city.”

Image credit inter.it

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