Pep Guardiola has spoken glowingly of former Inter Milan and Chelsea boss Antonio Conte’s managerial record after the Italian was announced as Tottenham’s new head coach.
The fiery Conte, known for even head-butting with club chiefs, who led Inter Milan to their first ever Serie A title in over a decade last season, has finally signed a reportedly lucrative 18-month deal with Tottenham, with the option to extend for a further year. It’s alleged that Conte’s pay package puts him second only to Guardiola’s and at level with Jurgen Klopp. Regardless, the man is worth every penny he’s paid as he’s a serial award-winner highly respected by even the likes of Guardiola.
Guardiola and Conte both joined the Premier League at the same time, the former joining Man City in the summer of 2016, while Conte joined the west London club. Guardiola’s team finished third that season, a clear 15 points behind Conte’s table-toppers, Chelsea.
Speaking ahead of their Champions League clash with Club Brugge on Wednesday night in the Champions League, Guardiola brimming with praise for Conte and what he had achieved at his previous clubs.
“Welcome back to the Premier League,” he said.
“His career speaks for himself. An outstanding manager who has had success everywhere.”
Although Conte had managed to better Guardiola in both of the league matches between the two sides in the 2016/17 campaign, City eventually won home and away against the Blues the following season.