Antonio Conte has walked away from his Manchester United job as he dismissed reports that he was in “advanced talks” with any club as “speculation”.
The Italian, who has been out of work since leaving Napoli in May, insisted his next move into management would be a “careful decision” and said his chosen club had to be the “right one”.
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Conte, who previously managed Chelsea and Tottenham in the Premier League, has been one of the names linked with United after Michael Carrick came under pressure.
Antonio Conte has been unemployed since leaving Napoli at the end of last season (AFP/Getty)
But the 57-year-old also addressed reports among some in the Old Trafford hierarchy that there were “conditions” about his “strong personality”, demanding management style and desire for “total control”.
Conte has been linked with a return to former team Juventus, where he won three Serie A titles between 2011 and 2014, after a turbulent start to the season for new coach Luciano Spalletti.
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In a statement posted on Instagram, Conte said: “After the latest reports in the media in Italy and abroad, I consider it appropriate to clarify my position. My name has been floated by many clubs, but at the moment there are no negotiations at an advanced stage.
“After a good and successful game in Napoli, I will take the time I need to think about how and when I will return to management. It will be a carefully considered decision, I will make it when I believe the conditions are right.
“I have already read the reports regarding my financial demands and demands for full control of the aforementioned clubs, as well as the reservations about what is described as my ‘strong personality.’
“These reports are baseless as there is no concrete basis for such assessments at this time.
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“If a specific opportunity arises, it will be the time to discuss with the relevant club and jointly review the terms of a potential deal, taking into account the needs of both parties and the qualities and approaches that define my work as a manager.
“Until then, any speculation about my requirements and professional future remains speculation and cannot be taken as fact.”
Conte spent two years at Napoli and won Serie A in his first season at the club (Getty)
Conte suggested in an interview Athletic earlier this month he will be open to another job in England after spells with Chelsea and Tottenham.
The former Italy boss won league titles with four different clubs – Juventus, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Napoli – when he took over a struggling Tottenham side mid-season five years ago and returned them to the Champions League.
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Conte is also known for his sharp tongue and has not hesitated to criticize his bosses in the past if he felt they were not supporting him. His departure from Tottenham in March 2023 followed a stunning sacking of the club in a now-legendary press conference at Southampton.
Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann have been named among the options available to United should Carrick be sacked after this weekend’s match against Brighton.
But while there is admiration for Brighton’s Fabian Hurzeler and Aston Villa’s Unai Emery, both are under contract until 2029 and will demand compensation from their current clubs.
Hurzeler on Friday distanced himself from “rumours” linking him to United and said his job at Brighton, who are third in the Premier League after seven games, is “not over”.