‘Never’: Agent rubbishes rumoured Russia move for Tottenham man

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The agent of Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte insists ‘there have never been any negotiations’ between the 2017 Premier League winner and Russian outfit Spartak Moscow, speaking to Sport24. 

Between leaving Juventus and being appointed as the head coach of the Italian national team in 2014, Spartak reportedly made an approach for one of the most decorated coaches in the modern game. 

Not that Federico Pastorello, Conte’s representative, knows much about that. Spartak may have been interested. But the agent has no knowledge of any talks between his client and one of the biggest clubs in Russian football.

“Did (long-time Spartak president Leonid) Fedun persuade Conte to coach Spartak? I don’t know anything about this story,” Pastorello explains.

“There have never been any negotiations between Conte and Spartak.” 

Can Antonio Conte end Tottenham Hotspur’s trophy drought?

The former Italy international would take over the Azzurri later in 2014, reaching the quarter finals at Euro 2016 before a penalty shoot-out defeat to Germany. 

Now, after trophy-winning spells at Inter Milan and Chelsea, Conte is hoping to end Tottenham’s long trophy drought. The London giants have not tasted success in any competition since beating Chelsea in the League Cup all the way back in 2008.

As it stands, Spurs are third in the Premier League table, one point behind local rivals Arsenal in top spot. 

They were due to take on Manchester City this weekend. However, all top-flight fixtures will no longer take place following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. 

“My players are capable of being competitive enough to win something – even Europe,” Conte claimed ahead of the Richarlison-inspired 2-0 win over Marseille on Wednesday night. 

“But you know very well and are not stupid. You understand the situation. For sure, we have to be dreamers and to work a lot to be something special. To create something around us and have a great season.

“We need our minds, when we go to win, to ask ourselves for much more, much more, much more. This is the only way to push ourselves; create the right atmosphere and become a winner and get that into our mind.”