Antonio Conte has addressed speculation linking him with the Manchester United job, saying he is not planning an immediate return to management but has not ruled out taking a new position in the Premier League.
The former Chelsea and Tottenham manager has been without a club since leaving Napoli in the summer. His name has recently been mentioned in connection with Manchester United following the club’s difficult start to the season under Michael Carrick.
Conte indicated that he intends to take time away from football, but told The Athletic that he could consider returning during a season if the right opportunity comes along.
“I’m going to rest this year,” Conte said in a message shared with the Festival dello Sport in Trento. However, he has not completely closed the door on a return to England.
The Italian also discussed the financial strength of the Premier League, describing English football as operating with far greater financial resources than many other leagues. He stressed, however, that clubs must make careful decisions about how they spend their money.
Conte has previously managed both Chelsea and Tottenham in the Premier League. He won the league title with Chelsea in the 2016/17 season and remains one of the most experienced managers to have been linked with top jobs in England.
His comments come as Manchester United continue to face questions about their direction under Carrick. The club has been linked with several potential managerial alternatives, but there has been no confirmation that United are preparing to replace their current manager.
Conte also explained that any future job would need to offer a serious opportunity to compete for major honours. He said he is attracted to clubs with a strong history and high expectations, particularly those seeking to restore themselves to previous levels of success.
Juventus have also been mentioned as a possible destination for Conte, although the Italian club has publicly backed current manager Luciano Spalletti.
For now, Conte appears set to remain outside management. His comments, however, leave open the possibility of a return to the Premier League if an opportunity emerges that matches his ambitions.