Antonio Conte has claimed that he has no regrets about his attack on Tottenham players at Southampton before he was sacked.
In what turned out to be his exit speech, Conte took a swipe at Spurs players after they squandered a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 at St Mary’s. In a furious post-match press conference, he said they “refused to play under pressure” and questioned their mentality.
In an interview with the Telegraph, Conte said for the first time since leaving Spurs: “We used to be very happy: ‘At that moment I had the feeling that. If I say something, it means that something is always true.
“No, to be honest, I don’t regret anything about it. But I have good feelings about Tottenham. I keep that experience in my heart.”
Asked if he could be too honest, Conte replied, “I am like that. I hate lies. It can sometimes help me, but sometimes it can also hurt me. But I prefer to keep silent than to tell a good lie – even the relationship with the players.
” During the season it can happen that you need an honest conversation, which can be positive or negative. I know very well, I was a player myself and some coaches told me good lies to calm me down. I don’t want that situation.
“I know very well that when you have these honest conversations with players, they can be a bit angry at first. But then, in my experience, time helps the player to start appreciating you. They were angry, but then they appreciate the honesty.”