Patrice Evra has admitted that he’s devastated Tottenham Hotspur hired Antonio Conte before Manchester United, claiming that he is ‘addicted’ to football and a born winner.
Conte has been a revelation in North London since replacing Nuno Esprito Santo last November.
The Italian had long been linked with the Manchester United role but even though the Red Devils parted company with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer around the same time as Nuno left Tottenham, the Lilywhites pounced first.
The presence of Fabio Paratici – whom Conte worked with at Juventus – is also likely to have been a major factor, with Fabrizio Romano remarking on the Italian director’s masterstroke in May.
Another figure who the former Inter manager worked with in Turin is Evra, who spent two-and-a-half years with the Serie A giants.
And the former France international is gutted that United weren’t able to get him before Tottenham.
He told The Mirror: “It hurts my heart. Because I think Conte, Klopp, Guardiola – all those managers are the best in the world right now and we could have had him at Manchester United.
“That’s why this manager is a genius. When I arrived at Juventus, every player told me: ‘Patrice, this guy is a genius. He’s addicted, he’s so passionate about football. So you’re going to run really hard. He’s going to make you sweat.
“But if you look at the Tottenham fans, they are so happy because when they see the players now, win or they lose, they give everything. That’s the mentality of Antonio Conte. That’s why I say it hurts. Not because it’s Tottenham – I love every team – but it’s just because Conte could have done something.”
Against the odds, Conte helped the North Londoners get back into the Champions League, even though Arsenal – who finished fifth – were major favourites to claim fourth place at one point.
Is he a genius?
Who knows, but he’s an exceptional football manager and with Conte and Paratici overseeing an excellent transfer window so far, few would back against Tottenham improving again next term.
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