‘We have to start having a vision’: Antonio Conte sets out his plans to revamp Tottenham – with ‘a lot of work’ needed – at his first big press conference – after arriving an hour late due to extra training!
- Antonio Conte’s Tottenham era started with a 3-2 win over Vitesse Arnhem
- The Italian had his squad putting in the hard yards on Friday in training
- Tottenham take on Rafa Benitez’s Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday
Antonio Conte has warned his Spurs players that they must physically fitter and mentally stronger if they are challenge for the trophies.
Conte, fresh from seeing his Tottenham team struggle to beat Vitesse Arnhem in the Europa Conference League last night has made it clear that what he has seen so far in training and in competitive play is not going to be good enough.
The Italian – who has succeeded the sacked Nuno Espirito Santo – believes Tottenham have superb facilities at its state of the art training ground and stadium but hinted that perhaps too much focus has been placed on matters away from the field.
Antonio Conte is already hard at work after taking over as Tottenham manager this week
Conte said ‘many things need to change’ at Tottenham for him to make the club successful
Speaking after training today and ahead of Sunday’s Premier League game at Everton, Conte said: ‘It’s a big challenge. I know very well this club has not won for many years but it doesn’t happen after one, two, three days or one or two months.
‘You must have vision. I think this club has had a great vision outside the pitch and now it has to start to have a great vision also on the pitch, on the football.
‘I think this is important if we have to win. The club has shown it can work very well with the stadium and training ground. Now I think we need time.
‘The club has chosen me and I am honoured but at the same time I know I need time to work and to change something on the pitch. Outside the pitch, it’s fantastic, it’s great. Maybe too much.
‘I must be honest. We need to change many things.’
Conte was late for his Friday press conference after an extended training session
Conte’s Tottenham tenure began with a 3-2 win over Vitesse Arnhem on Thursday night
Conte – who won the Premier League with Chelsea and last season’s Serie A with Inter – is a notoriously hard worker of players.
Today he added: ‘We need to work to improve many aspects. For every single player, not just one, two or three.
‘Every player needs to work to improve physical condition to get in to my idea of football. There are many aspects to improve, not only tactically but physically. They need to increase their capacity to suffer.’
Conte has only signed an 18 month contract at the club but insists he hopes to stay longer.
He said: ‘The contract is not a problem. We can work together for a long time. I hope so.’
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