Aston Villa and former Inter and Manchester United wingback Ashley Young feels that it’s not surprising to see how Antonio Conte’s personality has ratcheted up the atmosphere at Tottenham Hotspur.
Speaking to UK broadcaster TalkSport, the 37-year-old gave his perspective on the current Spurs coach based on having worked with him for a season and a half at the Nerazzurri, stressing that the coach’s priority is always to win above all else.
Conte’s personality looks to have caused his situation at Tottenham to become difficult, if now downright untenable.
The former Nerazzurri, Juventus, Italy, and Chelsea coach lashed out at the club and the players in an outburst after the team’s 3-3 Premier League draw against Southampton.
Former England international Young worked with Conte for a season and a half at Inter, joining the Nerazzurri from Man United in January of 2020 and eventually winning the Serie A title in the 2020-21 season.
“He is, who he is,” Young said, “I think if you see him on the touchline, in the dressing room, wherever he is, he has that fiery character.”
“He just wants to win, he is a winner, that is why he has been able to have success at every club he has been at.”
“He is extremely demanding, and tests players, and it is one of them as to whether you can deal with it or not.”
“I think his passion came out in that interview after the Southampton game,” the former Inter wingback went on about Conte, “and I think it was a bit of frustration ‘I want it more from the players.’”
“Obviously, I worked with him in Italy and we had success there. There were times which were very demanding, but if you’re willing to work hard and you want success, that is what you do.”
“You have to put your body on the line, and I think it is one of them, a bit of frustration. That is the way he is, he is a fiery person.”
