CONTE BLAST
Foul-mouthed rant over his Chelsea future
ANTONIO CONTE turned the air blue with a furious rant yesterday as the uncertainty surrounding his job showed no let-up.
With Chelsea nine points off the pace in the title race, the Italian is understood to be drawing increased scrutiny from the club’s hierarchy.
But the Chelsea manager was livid when denying recent claims that his players have texted complaints over his methods to Steve Holland, his former No 2, who is now working with England.
Speaking ahead of today’s clash at Bournemouth, Conte said: ‘Around us there is a lot of bull***t. I see in the past it happened the same with a lot of managers. A lot of bull***t. They try to create problems between me, the club and the players.
‘If someone is happy to continue to write this, I answer very well. I am answering very well about these different issues.
‘This is a lack of respect. I can accept they write the club is ready to sack me and the story with the players.’
But Conte hit back at claims Chelsea’s players miss Holland and have struggled to build a relationship with his replacement Davide Mazzotta. ‘I can accept this but to put another person (Holland) in this way I think is incorrect and it is not good that this person has to send me a
CLAUDE PUEL has defended himself against Matt Le Tissier’s withering assessment but said results matter more than style. Southampton club legend Le Tissier criticised Puel for a ‘boring’ approach at the club, where the Frenchman was sacked after one season despite finishing eighth and reaching the League Cup final. Sportsmail understands the new Leicester manager faced a task to win round a sceptical dressing room but delivered an impressive first session yesterday. Puel talked to his squad in detail about his plans for the team and individual players and is said to have not minced his words. He also defended his record at St Mary’s. ‘It is not important about this,’ said Puel when asked about Le Tissier’s comments. ‘Last season, for example, we developed good football without the clinical edge. We were seventh place for creating chances but 20th for converting. ‘But that is finished. It’s important to stay with good focus about Leicester. It is not a priority just to play good football or nice football. The priority is to win.’