LONDON — Tottenham manager Antonio Conte hit out at “disrespectful” claims he could quit the Premier League club to rejoin Juventus.
Conte has been linked with a move to Juventus after the Serie A club’s poor start to the season.
The Italian, whose Tottenham contract expires at the end of this season, has close ties with Juve after winning the title in Turin as both a player and manager.
Having led Tottenham to Champions League qualification last term before masterminding their unbeaten start to the new English top-flight season, Conte’s stock is high.
But despite reports Massimiliano Allegri could be sacked after Juventus won only two of their first seven Serie A games, Conte is adamant he remains committed to Spurs.
“I think this is disrespectful for the Juventus coach and disrespectful for me working for Tottenham,” Conte said according to AFP.
“We’ve just started the season. Many times I spoke about this topic and I always said I’m happy and enjoying my time with Tottenham. Then we have the whole season to find the best solution for the club and for me.
“For sure, I’m enjoying the time working for Tottenham. I have a great relationship with the owner. I don’t see a problem for the future.
“I don’t want in the future to listen to someone speak about this because it’s disrespectful to the other coach and to me.”
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s north London derby at Arsenal, Conte also called for action after Tottenham striker Richarlison had a banana thrown at him while on international duty with Brazil.
The racist incident came after Richarlison scored in Brazil’s 5-1 win over Tunisia at the Parc des Princes in Paris Tuesday.
“Richy played with the national team, scored a goal and then I think what happened is incredible because in 2022 to be witnessing this type of situation is embarrassing for everybody,” Conte said.
“For sure I hope these people can be banned from football for the rest of all their lives but then it is a situation that is very disappointing also to make a comment about this.”
Elsewhere, Manchester City playmaker Jack Grealish said he is “nowhere near” full fitness as he continues his recovery from a groin injury but is confident fans will see the best of him when he returns to the side.
Grealish picked up the problem in August and has been limited to six appearances in all competitions this season.
“I am definitely nowhere near 100% at the moment,” Grealish told City’s website.
“I played 90 minutes against West Ham United and 45 against Bournemouth when I picked up my injury. So, I still have a lot of fitness to improve upon but that will come over time,” he added according to Reuters.
“I just need to keep training to be the best of my ability and then I’ll get chances on the pitch. And then you’ll see the best Jack Grealish.”
Grealish, who joined City from Aston Villa in August last year for a league-record fee of 100 million pounds ($107.98 million), has scored only one goal this season but the England international is not worried about his numbers.
“For me, it’s not all about goals and assists … they mean a lot for attacking players but I just don’t think football is just about that,” he said.
“I hoped that during the second season, I play more and perform better. That’s what I need to do, no one needs to tell me that myself.
“It takes a while to adapt to a Pep Guardiola team and his system, so I am sure I will.”
