Conte: I didn’t reject Spurs because of money

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 11 Jun 2021 12:39 BST
• 4 min read

Antonio Conte has revealed why he rejected the chance to take over at Tottenham Hotspur and also commented on his sensational departure from Inter.

Conte was in talks to succeed Jose Mourinho as manager but the negotiations collapsed and Spurs are now close to appointing former Roma boss Paulo Fonseca instead.

READ MORE: Inter Miami owner hopeful the club will sign Lionel Messi

Why did Antonio Conte reject Tottenham?

It was alleged that one of the main reasons why Conte turned Spurs down was because they were unwilling to meet his financial demands.

Conte has rejected this but backs up other reports that he was unsatisfied by owner Daniel Levy’s plans and believed they weren’t ambitious enough.

“The market sets the price, but had I been obsessed by money, I would have stayed where I was in the past. I would have accepted compromises and obtained new contracts,” Conte told Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I look for the projects instead and I am ready to stay at home if something is not convincing me. It has to do with vision, honesty and principles.

“Generally, I like the challenges and I’ve accepted many of them during my career.

“Even the top clubs I coached were never the favourites when I arrived. However, if there’s something that doesn’t convince me I prefer not to accept regardless of the money.”

Three 𝙡𝙚𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨, three 𝙡𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 🦁🦁🦁#THFC ⚪️ #COYS pic.twitter.com/yhcYRMVEfl

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) June 9, 2021

Why did Antonio Conte leave Inter?

Conte also commented on why he decided to leave Inter at the end of this past season.

The Italian coach led the Nerazzurri to their first Scudetto in 11 years but sensationally walked away just three days after the end of the season.

With Inter in financial crisis and needing to make up to €100 million in player sales, Conte believed again that this wasn’t the right project for him.

“What I can say is that my project never changed, but it would be nonsense to discuss this now,” Conte explained in response to Inter president Steven Zhang’s claims that the pair disagreed on how to go forward.

“I don’t want to create controversy or talk about transfers. I respect Zhang and I thank him for choosing me. I love Inter, the club and their fans.

“I wish Simone Inzaghi the best of luck because he is a very talented and ambitious coach, I wish all the best to the Nerazzurri.”

Inzaghi succeeded Conte as the new coach of Inter after five years as manager of Lazio.