Former Inter goalkeeper Gianluca Pagliuca yesterday admitted he was surprised to see Antonio Conte take over as Inter head coach.
Conte won eight Serie A titles at Juventus during his time playing and coaching there but was officially appointed on a three-year deal by the Bianconeri’s arch rivals on Friday.
Pagliuca played against the Italian for Inter when the clubs’ rivalry was at its fiercest but backed him to win the Nerazzurri’s supporters over with results on the pitch.
“I didn’t expect Inter to appoint Conte even though I’d heard people talking about it,” Pagliuca told Radio Anch’io Lo Sport.
“He’s a Juventus legend who won domestic and European titles with them as a coach and as a player, but perhaps he’s not on good terms with Andrea Agnelli anymore [after walking out in 2014].
“As a professional he’s made the right choice. Conte likes big challenges, so going to Inter and potentially winning trophies there is a prospect that convinced him.
“Juventus fans might have taken it badly but everyone is a professional. In 2019 you can’t be surprised at anything.”
