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Tottenham boss Antonio Conte believes more club officials should face the media to give answers to the tough questions he cannot answer
Antonio Conte’s press conferences have come under a lot of scrutiny for his comments on a wide range of subjects and that theme continued during his most recent press conference as he explained why club figures at English clubs should also speak to the media, like in Italy.
Conte questions bad habit in England
Conte believes it’s a “bad habit” that in England only head coaches are obliged to regularly front up in public and answer the tough questions.
The Italian, who is under pressure after three Premier League wins in nine, goes to Manchester City on Thursday seeking to improve on a dismal sequence of results against the division’s big sides. Spurs drew at Chelsea early on in the season, but they have lost home and away against Arsenal, away at Manchester United, and home against Liverpool.
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Conte, who described City as “the best team in the world at the moment”, was exasperated on Tuesday, saying more than once that he did not want to explain his club's approach yet again and stated that their project is defined by the need for hard work, patience, and clever buys.
The manager was asked whether it would help him if the ownership or the chairman, Daniel Levy, spoke more openly on strategic matters. Levy has given a handful of interviews during his 21 years in the role. “In England, there is a bad habit that there is only the coach to speak and to explain,” Conte said.
“I have never seen the medical department come here to explain why this player is having difficulty to recover. I have never seen the club or sporting director come here to explain the strategy and vision of the club.
“In Italy, before every game, there is a person from the club who has to go before the media and answer every question. For us, it could be really, really better. Because otherwise, every time there is only one face to explain a situation which is better for the club to explain.
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“If only the coach speaks there are sometimes misunderstandings. It would be good to have the club present in the media and speak. Not every week but at least every 15 days or once a month. It could also be more simple for the media to understand the situation. Believe me, it’s difficult because everything you tell could be a criticism or negative, and this is not the truth.”
Conte said he would not ask the club to act on his wishes, also suggesting that silence suited them better. “This type of situation is good for every club – ‘Don’t go into the media’ [and speak],” he said. “It’s a risk to speak always to explain. The coach has to stay silent and accept the situation.”
Spurs still active in the transfer market
Spurs are looking for new additions in the transfer window as Antonio Conte looks to strengthen his squad and the club have held further talks with Sporting Lisbon over right-back Pedro Porro, via mandated intermediaries.
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The Portuguese club continue to insist that Spurs must pay the player’s €45m (£36.7m) release clause if they want him in January. Spurs are trying to drive a harder bargain. Right-back is a problem position for Conte and Emerson Royal who is the preferred option at the moment has been very underwhelming.
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