Tottenham appoint Conte in bid to turn stuttering season around

Antonio Conte has been appointed Tottenham boss following Nuno Espirito Santo’s sacking.

The former Chelsea manager has signed an 18-month contract at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Conte, 52, has been out of work since leaving Serie A champions Inter Milan in the summer.

And he has revealed he turned down the Spurs job prior to Nuno's appointment in June as he felt he needed a break following his time at the San Siro.

But he is now ready to try and turn around a season that is stuttering badly with Spurs suffering five defeats in their past seven Premier League games. 

Conte said: "I am extremely happy to return to coaching and to do so at a Premier League club that has the ambition to be a protagonist again.

"Tottenham Hotspur has state-of-the-art facilities and one of the best stadiums in the world.

"I can't wait to start working to convey to the team and the fans the passion, mentality and determination that have always distinguished me, as a player and as a coach.

"Last summer our union did not happen because the end of my relationship with Inter was still too recent and emotionally too involved with the end of the season, so I felt that it wasn’t yet the right time to return to coaching.

"But the contagious enthusiasm and determination of Daniel Levy in wanting to entrust me with this task had already hit the mark. 

"Now that the opportunity has returned, I have chosen to take it with great conviction."

Conte previously won the Premier League with Chelsea and has a reputation as one of the best coaches in the modern game.

But he is also a fiery character and how his relationship with Spurs chairman Levy develops will be key to any success he may have in North London.

Conte worked with managing director of football Fabio Paratici at Juventus and that rapport helped Spurs convince him to join.

Now Paratici is thrilled to have his fellow Italian alongside him again. He said: "We are delighted to welcome Antonio to the club.

"His track record speaks for itself, with vast experience and trophies in both Italy and England.

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

Conte's first game in charge will be at home to Vitesse in the Europa Conference League on Thursday night, ahead of a Premier League clash at Everton on Sunday.