CONTE: I’M A LUIS FAN
ANTONIO CONTE has given Luis Enrique a glowing endorsement – even though the Spaniard is favourite to take his job at Chelsea.
The former Barcelona boss is odds-on with the bookies to succeed Conte at Stamford Bridge this summer and may get the call before the end of the season unless results improve.
But under-fire Conte, who knows anything other than a win against West Brom tonight will put his job on the line, was glowing about Enrique who is keen to move to English football.
Chelsea have denied making any contact with Enrique but Conte, who still has 18 months left on his £9million-a-year contract, said: “Yes, I have spoken with him. I know him. We played against each other and he’s a really good person. When I was the coach of Juventus he was Roma’s coach.
“I have great admiration for him and sometimes he is a fantastic coach. He reached his targets with Barcelona and also with Roma you could see a well-organised team.
“We do this job and our job is not difficult but you must be open and understand the situation can change. A club can take different decisions. It’s the same for me.
“But I’m not jealous or envious of other managers. Everyone knows his job and I usually have a great respect.”
Conte knows his job is under serious threat after back-to-back defeats to Bournemouth and Watford.
It feels like he’s a dead man walking as the complaint from players is he is working them too hard and his training sessions are boring.
But the Italian, who gave his squad three days off last week amid complaints they were fatigued, insisted he would be disappointed if his players were smiling during training and it was always about hard work.
He said: “Usually when you work you don’t smile, especially if you work hard.
“But at the same time you understand that only through work can you reach a fantastic target like last season.
“For sure, to have a bit of rest after a busy period was important.
“But we are ready to face West Brom and then to play against Hull and then Barcelona.
“We must be ready to play three games in eight days.”