Report claims how Antonio Conte actually started the ‘Handshake War’ with Tuchel

After a heated post-match incident involving Spurs boss Antonio Conte and Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel, a report from Germany now suggests Conte started the “Handshake War” after using foul language throughout the game.

The exhilarating derby between Spurs and Chelsea on Sunday will live long in the memory, mainly thanks to the clash of Antonio Conte and rival manager Thomas Tuchel after the final whistle (The Guardian).

There was plenty of drama on the pitch too, with the London rivals playing out an intense 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge. With Chelsea dominating much of the game, Spurs fans were delighted to take a point after Harry Kane’s 96th-minute equaliser.

Antonio Conte and Thomas Tuchel had already confronted each other once earlier in the game, after Pierre Emile Hojbjerg made it 1-1 with a long-range effort. Then, as the match concluded and the managers shook hands, things well and truly reached boiling point.

Tuchel appeared to hold on to Conte’s hand after the shake, resulting in the Italian being pulled back and the two managers squaring up. According to Tuchel himself, he felt disrespected by the fact Conte had not made eye contact with him (Daily Mail).

Now, journalist Christian Falk reports (via a Bild Sport exclusive) that the “Handshake War” was instigated by the Spurs coach, who had apparently been shouting expletives to the Chelsea dugout throughout the game.

Falk tweeted: “TRUE. The ‘Handshake War’ between Tuchel and Conte was triggered by Conte. The Spurs Coach shouted several times to the bench of Chelsea: ‘F*** off!'”

Spurs Web Opinion

Whether or not Antonio Conte was swearing at the Chelsea boss during the game, and whether or not he made eye contact with Tuchel after the game, there is really no way to blame the resulting fracas on anything other than Tuchel’s actions at the final whistle.

We expect rival managers to rile each other up, and the Chelsea manager should have handled it better. Still, it all makes for great entertainment, doesn’t it? While some will criticise the behaviour of the two coaches, it’s always good to see such passion on show.

Related Topics