The Telegraph have claimed that Antonio Conte was left impressed by Tottenham Hotspur’s refusal to sell Harry Kane during the summer despite not being able to strike a deal to take over the reins at the club back in June.
Conte will now take over as Spurs head coach from Nuno Espirito Santo and will be reunited with Fabio Paratici for the first time since his Juventus days.
The 52-year-old admitted to Tottenham’s official website that the timing was not right for him to come to North London during the summer but added that Daniel Levy’s resolve to appoint him convinced him to join now.
The Telegraph have now explained Conte and Spurs remained in good terms despite the failed talks during the summer, thanks in part to the former Inter Milan boss’ relationship with Paratici.
It is explained that Tottenham’s refusal to sell Kane to Manchester City during the summer convinced Conte of Levy’s ambition.
The report added that Conte maintains that his refusal to join Spurs a few months ago was not due to financial reasons.
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The uncertainty surrounding Kane’s future during the summer might have played a role in Conte thinking twice about the Tottenham project. So, if the decision to hold on to Kane did prove crucial in Spurs being able to swoop for the Italian now, it was certainly the right call to hold on to the England captain despite his poor form so far this season.