Antonio Conte
Saturday, June 1, 2019
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FC Internazionale Milano
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Date of birth: 31 July 1969
Nationality: Italian
Playing career: Lecce, Juventus
Coaching career: Siena (assistant), Arezzo, Bari, Atalanta, Siena, Juventus, Italy, Chelsea, Internazionale
• A combative and versatile midfielder, Conte also weighed in with his share of goals – usually spectacular. Made Serie A debut with hometown club Lecce aged 16 in 1985/86 but was not a regular until 1988/89 when his side returned to the top flight after two seasons away. Joined Juventus in November 1991.
• Spent the next 13 seasons at Juve, later describing the famous black-and-white shirt as his "second skin". Won five league titles, the UEFA Champions League in 1995/96 and the UEFA Cup in 1992/93 in addition to triumphs in the UEFA Super Cup, Italian Cup and European/South American Cup, wearing the captain's armband from 1996. Capped 20 times by Italy, he was part of the squads that finished runners-up at the 1994 FIFA World Cup and UEFA EURO 2000.
• Started coaching career as assistant at Siena in 2005, taking over Serie B side Arezzo the following season. After leading Bari and Siena to the top flight in 2009 and 2011 respectively, he signed a two-year contract with Juventus.
• Wasted no time in revamping the squad and enjoyed a debut season to remember as the Bianconeri claimed the Scudetto without losing a single game, suffering their sole defeat of the season against Napoli in the Coppa Italia final. Led Juventus to a second successive title in 2013 and made it three in a row the following year, before stepping down in July 2014.
• Appointed Italy coach on a two-year deal a month later, he guided the Azzurri undefeated to UEFA EURO 2016 and took them to the quarter-finals in France before opting for a new challenge at Chelsea. Proved an instant success in England, winning the Premier League title and reaching the FA Cup final in his first season, and won the FA Cup in his second campaign only to be relieved of his duties a month later; after a year's sabbatical he was appointed Inter coach on 31 May 2019.