Antonio Conte says he is not ready to return now but wants to revive clubs that have 'lost sight of their history'

Antonio Conte told The Athletic on 5 October 2026 that he is not ready to return to management immediately but signalled a preference for taking charge of a club that has "somewhat lost sight of their history." He rejected suggestions he is prepared to step back into a job right now while leaving open the possibility of a future return to England.

Conte has been out of work since leaving Napoli in the summer after two seasons in charge, during which he won one Scudetto and one Supercoppa Italiana. He previously managed Juventus from 2011 to 2014, claiming three consecutive Serie A titles — the first in the club’s history following the Calciopoli incident in 2006 — and has had spells in the Premier League with Chelsea and Tottenham.

“There are many clubs that have somewhat lost sight of their history. I’d like to go to one of these clubs to dust off that history and make it shine once more,” Conte said. “By having the ambition to bring that club back – if it isn’t there today – to fight for those goals. I know full well that only one team can win every year.”

“But I must carry in my heart – and instil in the hearts of the fans, my players and my directors – that spark, that hope that makes you say, ‘F**k, we can win’,” he added.

Conte shot down speculation that he is ready to return to management immediately, a stance he made clear in the interview, but he declined to rule out a return to England in the future. Although he currently does not have a club, he said he is eager to start the next phase of his career.

The article notes Conte has won six league titles with four clubs across two leagues, and that his Premier League experience includes managing Chelsea and Tottenham. He also stressed that, despite his numerous triumphs, his career has been marked by defeats and that success in football is not guaranteed.

Conte has been linked recently with Manchester United and Juventus.