Ex-Manager watch: Antonio Conte

[Freddie]

I know this is a thread about him but I feel like debating his behaviour is somewhat missing the point.

We all know and knew he was a hot head and to put it kindly crazy but we also knew that if you back him you get success.

We chose not to back him and many have comforted themselves with believing it’s because he is past his best but now it turns out he isn’t, we just didn’t back him.

a lot went wrong in that second season, the death of his assistant and contes illness mainly but levy broke the professional trust in that summer window I believe

Same story with Mourinho. Another manager who needs to be backed. He wasn't and it failed. Why Levy thought he could try again with Conte and have success without spending the money is bizarre. Why Conte believed Levy was being truthful this time is just as bizarre.

 

[mil1lion]

Every manager needs to be backed though. It's just down to what the objective is. Managers like Jose and Conte have the objective to win titles so the requirement is far greater. Ange appears the same but seems more set for the long game which could suit us better. Maybe because he has had a long journey just to get to this level so he is prepared for the long road ahead. Managers like Conte and Jose were fortunate to manage in well exposed leagues where they could get big jobs early in their managerial careers. That's probably why they have far higher demands to win everything right now.

 

[parj]

Every manager needs to be backed though. It's just down to what the objective is. Managers like Jose and Conte have the objective to win titles so the requirement is far greater. Ange appears the same but seems more set for the long game which could suit us better. Maybe because he has had a long journey just to get to this level so he is prepared for the long road ahead. Managers like Conte and Jose were fortunate to manage in well exposed leagues where they could get big jobs early in their managerial careers. That's probably why they have far higher demands to win everything right now.

If every manager needs to be backed then might as well throw Poch back into the discussion. The only guy to get us challenging under Levy and barely got backed when it was clear we needed more depth.

How about Jose and Conte both signed for big money and should have known better than to be backed by Levy. No interest in developing the squad or using youngsters.

 

[mil1lion]

If every manager needs to be backed then might as well throw Poch back into the discussion. The only guy to get us challenging under Levy and barely got backed when it was clear we needed more depth.

How about Jose and Conte both signed for big money and should have known better than to be backed by Levy. No interest in developing the squad or using youngsters.

I think Poch is more like Ange in that he was willing to build towards success over time. But yes the lack of fresh signings was the major issue. Sadly I think the stadium build and Poch together at the same time was unfortunate. Otherwise I think what we are doing now would have suited him. Although whether he would work with Lange etc is another thing. His biggest flaw was wanting to pick the signings too and he was not a great talent spotter.

 

[rossdapep]

I know this is a thread about him but I feel like debating his behaviour is somewhat missing the point.

We all know and knew he was a hot head and to put it kindly crazy but we also knew that if you back him you get success.

We chose not to back him and many have comforted themselves with believing it’s because he is past his best but now it turns out he isn’t, we just didn’t back him.

a lot went wrong in that second season, the death of his assistant and contes illness mainly but levy broke the professional trust in that summer window I believe

My feeling is Levy got to that second season and felt a parting of ways with Conte was much easier to let play out then double down and really back him. Not saying he necessarily expected to have a disastrous season but he probably thought 'why spend too much when we have a like Conte who can probably have us higher than expected".

As always, when Levy called Conte, we were in a precarious position, so of course Levy needed to do something drastic. But when things are much rosier, he is in a much more controlling manner and feels he doesn't need to take any risks because he's not 'saving a situation'.

We saw it when Harry Redknapp came in. At risk of relegation, so Levy panicked and bought loads of players in January, which we never do.

2 January's later and we are almost in a title race and Levy is only prepared to bring in 2 loan players. Because the consequences of not doing something are much more manageable.

 

[parj]

I think Poch is more like Ange in that he was willing to build towards success over time. But yes the lack of fresh signings was the major issue. Sadly I think the stadium build and Poch together at the same time was unfortunate. Otherwise I think what we are doing now would have suited him. Although whether he would work with Lange etc is another thing. His biggest flaw was wanting to pick the signings too and he was not a great talent spotter.

I totally agree, and I'm only throwing Poch in because people keep making out as if Conte and Jose were screwed over.

No they weren't. They are very good at negotiating great contracts at clubs they don't work out well at. Nice early pay off.

 

[muppetman]

My feeling is Levy got to that second season and felt a parting of ways with Conte was much easier to let play out then double down and really back him. Not saying he necessarily expected to have a disastrous season but he probably thought 'why spend too much when we have a like Conte who can probably have us higher than expected".

As always, when Levy called Conte, we were in a precarious position, so of course Levy needed to do something drastic. But when things are much rosier, he is in a much more controlling manner and feels he doesn't need to take any risks because he's not 'saving a situation'.

We saw it when Harry Redknapp came in. At risk of relegation, so Levy panicked and bought loads of players in January, which we never do.

2 January's later and we are almost in a title race and Levy is only prepared to bring in 2 loan players. Because the consequences of not doing something are much more manageable.

My recollection of the time was that Conte was not showing any commitment to the club and seemed to want to be anywhere but here. Hadn't he actually gone back to Italy for a chunk of it for treatment?

You can say that this is perfectly reasonably as he'd had a horrific time of it with illness and losing friends but I can understand why Levy would be reluctant to spend on players that were very specific to that manager, would quite possibly have little resale value and be on large wages.

There is also a train of thought that thinks it's not entirely unreasonable to expect a lot of a manager on £15m a year.

Before the Treasurer of the Conte Fan Club turns up, I'm not saying Levy was right, but it was a logical decision at that time, if that is indeed what happened.

 

[sidford]

Napoli hammered 3-0 at home by Atalanta. Oh well

 

[Ribble]

Napoli hammered 3-0 at home by Atalanta. Oh well

That can happen to anyone, just ask Xabi Alonso