Antonio Conte’s ‘severe’ and ‘demanding’ character was to be expected, according to former Juventus teammate Christian Vieri… who claims the sacked Tottenham manager is ‘accustomed to clashing with everyone’
- Vieri described his former teammate as someone who ‘leaves you sleepless’
- ‘Clashing with everyone’ is normal and to be expected from Conte, Vieri said
- Conte was sacked as Spurs manager on Sunday after his fiery post-match rant
Antonio Conte’s former Juventus and Italy teammate Christian Vieri has aimed a dig at the recently dismissed Tottenham coach due to his ‘severe’ and ‘demanding’ character.
Conte was relieved of his duties as Spurs manager on Sunday night after launching his now infamous verbal attack against his own players following the 3-3 draw at Southampton.
And, following the news, Vieri told press in Italy that he was not surprised to see his former team-mate leave Spurs and claimed the Italian coach is ‘accustomed to clashing with everyone.’
‘Antonio is accustomed to clashing with everyone, it’s his character,’ Vieri told Italian outlet Corriere della Sera on Tuesday.
‘If a club hires him, they should not expect someone who is happy with everything,’ he continued. ‘He’s always on the edge, it’s his way of being, whether you like it or not.
Antonio Conte was sacked from his position as Tottenham manager on Sunday night after launching a fiery verbal attack on his players
Christian Vieri and Conte played together for the Italian national team over a seven-year spell
‘You know what you’re going to get. Every two years does he fight with everyone? Yes. Does He always leave with problems? Yes. You know he’s demanding and serious.
‘There are coaches like Conte and Mourinho who hammer at all hours, pile on the pressure and always demand the best. And then there are those who are fine with everything, they stay where they are.
‘Everyone trains and sees football in their own way, and it doesn’t mean that one coach is right and the other is wrong.’
The two former Italy internationals played together for Juventus during the 1996-1997 season as well as for the national team between 1997 and 2004.
The 53-year-old head coach was let go from his position as Tottenham head coach after less than 18 months in charge.
After managing to secure a top four finish in first season at the club, the Italian has struggled to get the best out of his Spurs side in this campaign.
At the time of his departure, Tottenham were clinging on to heir position in the Premier League top four, were knocked out of the FA Cup in humiliating fashion by Sheffield United and had been booted out of the Champions League at the Round of 16 by AC Milan.
Conte will be replaced by his former assistant Christian Stellini, who will be helped by Ryan Mason on an interim basis until the end of the season.
The 53-year-old has struggled to get the best out of his Spurs players throughout this year
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