Napoli boss Antonio Conte has opened up about the challenges he faced during his time at Tottenham Hotspur, despite leading the London club to Champions League qualification.
Conte, who departed Spurs in the summer of 2023 and later guided Napoli to the 2024/25 Serie A title, reflected on his North London stint in an interview with Sky Italia. He spoke candidly about how his two-year spell shaped his personal and professional outlook.
“It was a difficult year at Tottenham. I arrived in November with them ninth in the standings and we ended up in the Champions League, overtaking Arsenal… For them, going to the Champions League was like winning the Premier League,” he recalled.
While the achievement was significant, Conte expressed discomfort with the way it was celebrated at the club.
“On the last day, the Champions League entry was celebrated in the dressing room. I called my staff and told them: we don’t get used to these celebrations. You don’t celebrate these things. We are used to celebrating other things. OK, great feat, but at the same time, we understand what kind of celebration it is.”
Conte’s remarks highlight the cultural differences in expectations and standards between clubs, as well as his unwavering commitment to a winning mentality.
