Antonio Conte has now opened up on what he wants to achieve during his time at Tottenham Hotspur, putting particular emphasis on lifting a trophy.
It has been over 13 years since Spurs last won a piece of silverware, with that coming against Conte’s old club Chelsea in the 2008 Carling Cup Final.
Ever since then, despite multiple domestic cup finals, a Champions League final and back-to-back pushes for the Premier League under Mauricio Pochettino, trophies have eluded Tottenham.
When asked whether he still had anything to prove as a manager during his time with Spurs, the Italian was keen to point out that his past achievements remain just there.
At Spurs, he revealed he wanted to get the squad to be competitive again in order to build something and one day lift a trophy together.
He was also asked about a possible top-four push this season, but was keen to bypass such talk and instead emphasised everything had to start with hard work and improvements.
Conte said (Football London): “I think the past is there and behind my back. I think that for me the most important thing is the present.
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“The past you have won trophies in the past and this is important but we are now in the present you put yourself in a different situation and you have to prove again to be competitive and be ready to fight also in this situation and in that case with Tottenham to try to build something important to win, to lift a trophy.
“I know this is not simple and I am honest to understand this and to tell you this. But we want to try to build something important also with Tottenham to win and to lift a trophy together. This must be our target. To build together something ready to fight.
“In England, it is not simple because the other teams are very strong. But I know that through the work we can improve a lot. If you ask me how much time we need before it happens, it is very difficult to tell you this.
“In our heart and mind, this must be our inspiration and we are to try to do this for the best of the club.”
Asked about a top-four push, he added: “In this moment, we have to be focused and only to work very hard and improve. I don’t see another way to reach our target.
“There is only this way. To work hard, create the right atmosphere, to be solid in the character and be ready to suffer and I think there is also a good work mentally, physically, tactically.
“I have found a group of players that want to work and improve and this is a good place for me. I can arrive at any club and I want to bring my ideas but if you don’t have the ability of the players it is impossible.
“I have seen positive things at Tottenham and have felt good vibes. This is a good place to start.”
Spurs Web Opinion:
Stuff like this will be music to the ears of many Tottenham fans. A clear aim to improve the squad and start competing for trophies without getting carried away too soon. Spurs now just have to give Conte whatever tools he needs to get the job done.
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