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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Jacob Leeks

Antonio Conte responds to "incredible" Juventus links and outlines Tottenham stance

Antonio Conte has laughed off suggestions that he could leave Tottenham Hotspur to return for a second spell in charge of Serie A giants Juventus.

The Italian is reportedly being lined up by Juve chief Andrea Agnelli to replace Massimiliano Allegri. Juve have endured a difficult start to the new season, winning just two of their opening seven games to already fall seven points behind early leaders Napoli.

It follows a campaign in which Juve also struggled badly, at one point finding themselves in the relegation zone before recovering to finish in the top four. Their dreadful start to the current term has seen Allegri come under increased pressure.

Conte is still thought of highly back in Italy, having won three successive Serie A titles at Juve before leading Inter Milan to the Scudetto in 2021. But while he is being heavily linked with taking Allegri's job, Conte has insisted he is happy to stay at Spurs.

"It's incredible that in this period and I think this is disrespectful for the Juventus coach and disrespectful for me [when] working for Tottenham. We've just started the season," the Tottenham boss said.

"Many times I have spoken about this topic and I always said to you I'm happy and enjoying my time with Tottenham. Then we have the whole season to find the best solution for the club and for me.

HAVE YOUR SAY! Should Antonio Conte leave Tottenham if the Juventus job becomes available? Comment below.

Massimiliano Allegri is coming under pressure at Juventus (REUTERS)

"And for sure, I'm enjoying the time working for Tottenham, to work for Tottenham, with these players. I have a great relationship with the owner and Paratici. I don't see a problem for the future.

"Now it's important to be focused. We signed a contract because both parties agree to sign this contract. I don't see a problem in this moment. And I don't want in the future to listen to someone speak about this because it's disrespectful to the other coach and to me."

Conte's side travel to bitter rivals Arsenal for the first North London derby of the season this weekend. If they beat the Gunners, Spurs will move to the top of the Premier League, but Conte has insisted he is keeping his feet firmly on the ground.

"You know very well that these eight games that we are going to play, we have just started this league. For sure Arsenal had a fantastic start and they lost only one game against United," he added.

"They are showing to be a really good team. I think that in the summer they made really good signings for them and improved the team that don't forget last season in the last three games they were four points up from us.

"So it means we are talking about a really good team that in the last season we did a really good job to overcome them in the last three games. At the same time I know the quality of this team. I know they are working with Arteta for many years.

"They are really well organised and Arteta I said last season he is a really good coach. He is young but he can have in front of him a great career. We know that Arsenal are one of the six teams that try to take the best position in the Premier League."

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