Former Inter head coach Antonio Conte has opened up on his plans for life as he goes into next season without a club after leaving the Nerazzurri at the end of last season.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster Radio Anch’io Lo Sport, the Italian tactician spoke about his life and his approach to football.
Conte enjoyed success with Inter, bringing the club its first Scudetto in eleven years, a pattern in a career which has also seen a trophy-laden spell with Nerazzurri rivals Juventus and Premier League club Chelsea and a highly-regarded tenure with the Italian national team.
In the interview, the ex-Nerazzurri boss gives so insight into how he approaches the game and keeps up to date with tactical trends.
It is not uncommon for top coaches to enjoy sabbaticals after leaving major coaching jobs, with the likes of Max Allegri and Pep Guardiola among others also forgoing an immediate return to football when in similar situations to that which Conte finds himself in currently.
The Italian explains: “It will be a year in which I try to study, I will watch football and deepen my understanding of certain situations.
“I will try to make the most of an unwanted situation. OK, maybe I will also take advantage of the period and spend more time with my family, but also work. As I always say, football is evolving and moving forward.”
Conte also spoke about his reaction to the health emergency of Inter midfielder Christian Eriksen:
“It is horrible that I was living alone [during the moments when the Dane collapsed on the pitch]. These are the moments when you would like to have someone by your side.
“Something very bad happened, it would have hurt to see it happen to anyone, but if you have worked with someone for a year and a half you see it with different eyes, and you are struck by it in a profound way.”
“I am happy because it was resolved in the best way, Christian is alive and that is the most important thing. May he find serenity with his family.”
Conte closed: “We must thank his teammates for their composure, and those who intervened because we must be prepared for these situations.
“They are one in a hundred thousand. I wish Christian peace and quiet, and to enjoy life. There will be time for assessments later. Today the most important thing is to live, football will come later.”
