New Tottenham manager Antonio Conte said the “heart” of his players had given him confidence after Everton stopped scoring in Italy’s first game on the bench.
Conte’s license was rare as he was given Tottenham Hotspur’s perfect experience on Thursday in a 3-2 Europa League win over Vitesse that was designed as a prelude to his first move out of the top flight.
Conte set up a famous 3-4-3 formation and called himself an XI for a sweet shot at Goodison Park where Mason Holgate was sent off early for the visitors.
The Spurs boss said he had “many reasons to be happy” after a brilliant career, despite Tottenham’s goalless draw for their next two Premier League games.
Conte said: “Today I looked at the hearts of my players, the hunger, the desire to fight, the desire to sacrifice, to realize that this is a difficult time for us. “And make this more confident for me in the future.
“Sometimes you can teach players tricks of the trade, but whether you feel confident or not – my players have shown me they are good, this is just the beginning.”
“I’m happy to have a leader like Conte.”
Just eight days ago, Tottenham’s player promises were called into question after Manchester United‘s disappointing 3-0 win over Nuno Espirito Santo in North London.
Spurs have moved swiftly to install Conte, a man hoping to bring a long-awaited trophy to the club and winner in five competitions since winning Tottenham’s trophy: the League Cup in 2007/08.
Conte did not arrive early for Friday’s pre-match press conference due to the cancellation of the session, a message that if any of his players were in doubt, the 52-year-old would seek full approval from his team-mates if he so desired. to get them back in the shape needed to play the kind of football he wants.
This topic has been brought up in an interview with Tottenham players since the arrival of their new manager: the need for the team to take over.
“For a player, it’s great to have this kind of information,” player Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg told before the game started. “If you have the right attitude and the right desire to work, you just have to make it better with a manager like that.
“I know we are only four days old but you feel very strong, you are hungry, you think you have to go after everything to try to win. I can only learn from the coach. and listen and improve my game.
“My team and I are very happy to have a leader as our coach and coaching staff at this time.”
Former Netherlands player Nigel de Jong says players like Hojbjerg will accept Conte’s idea if Spurs succeed.
“Conte will give his players the right energy,” De Jong told 5 Live. “If you don’t want to get on his carriage, he will drop you off, no matter how big you are.
“We will see some surprises. The canceled players will return. Tottenham fans can be happy. We will find out if Tottenham wants to work with Conte.”
