Gianfranco Zola has expressed his admiration for Antonio Conte, telling Gazzetta dello Sport the Tottenham-linked manager is “extraordinary” and “different” to Jose Mourinho.
At first glance, there are similarities between a pair of managers who tasted domestic glory with both Chelsea and Inter Milan.
Conte, like Mourinho, is a force of nature, charismatic one minute and petrifying the next. A lava-spewing volcano of a man, Conte even made Andrea Pirlo’s heart beat that little bit faster and, as his Inter Milan bosses will tell you, working with the icy-eyed 51-year-old can feel like going 12 rounds with Mike Tyson.
So if the Spurs squad hoped for an easy ride after 17 months under Mourinho, it seems chairman Daniel Levy has other ideas.
Yesterday, Corriere dello Sport reported Tottenham had held talks over a deal that would see Conte return to London four years after he dragged Chelsea to domestic glory.
But former Blues legend Zola believes the similarities between Conte and Mourinho are only skin deep.
“I believe they are different,” Zola said. “Very good, but different.
“The points they have in common is they are extremely demanding and have enormous personalities. Mourinho and Conte are charismatic – but different.
“It’s enough to look at my past interviews to see what my esteem for Antonio is. He belongs to the group of managers capable of changing teams.
“I use this definition – he is a transformer. He is extraordinary.”
Following two largely miserable campaigns, Tottenham are crying out for someone capable of turning their fortunes around.
And who better than Conte to turn the perennial bridesmaids into champions at last? Just last week he guided Inter Milan to their first Serie A title in 11 years, the fifth league title of his remarkable managerial career.
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