Tottenham appoint Conte as manager after sacking Nuno

London, November 2 (BNA) Tottenham Hotspur announced the appointment of Antonio Conte as its coach until the summer of 2023, a day after the dismissal of Portuguese coach Nuno Espirito Santo.

Former Chelsea and Inter Milan coach Conte replaced Nuno, who was sacked on Monday after 17 games in charge, with a 3-0 home loss to Manchester United on Saturday in their last league game against Tottenham.

Conte, 52, had been out of work since May when he terminated his contract with Inter due to his dissatisfaction with their plans to cut investment and cut costs shortly after leading them to their first Serie A title in 11 years.

“I am very happy to be back in training, and to do so at a Premier League club that aspires to be champion (in the title race) again,” Conte said in a statement.

“I can’t wait to get down to work to pass on to the team and the fans the passion, mindset and determination that have always characterized me as a player and as a coach.”

Tottenham topped the Premier League standings in August under Nuno after winning their first three games, but are now ninth, 10 points behind leaders Chelsea after 10 games and five points behind the Champions League qualifying spots.

Conte’s first game in charge of the squad will be Thursday’s group stage match at home to Vitesse Arnhem.

Conte was linked with the Tottenham job at the end of the season when the club sought a permanent replacement after Jose Mourinho’s sacking, but the Italian said it was too early to take on a new role after leaving Inter.

“Last summer our union did not happen because the end of my relationship with Inter was still very recent and very emotionally involved with the end of the season, so I felt it was not the right time to return to training,” Conte added.

“But the infectious enthusiasm and determination of (Tottenham boss) Daniel Levy in wanting to task me with this task has already hit the mark. Now that the opportunity is back, I have chosen to take it with great conviction.”

Conte, the former Italy coach, will be tasked with reviving the fortunes of Tottenham, who reached the Champions League final in 2019 but are now struggling in Europe’s third tier.

The team occupies third place in its group, three points behind Rennes, France, and points from the Dutch Vitesse, by winning three matches.

Spurs have been poor in attack this season, scoring nine goals in 10 league games, and main striker Harry Kane looking well below his best form.

The England international, last season’s Premier League Golden Boot winner with 23 goals, has scored once in nine league games this season.

“We are delighted to welcome Antonio to the club. His track record speaks for itself with extensive experience and titles in both Italy and England,” said Tottenham Hotspur managing director Fabio Paratici.

“I know firsthand the qualities that Antonio can bring to us, having worked with him at Juventus, and I look forward to seeing his work with our talented group of players.”

NS