Former Juventus coach Antonio Conte has revealed that he was interested in the Manchester United job before he took the reins of the Azzurri.
The English side eventually hired Louis van Gaal, allowing Conte to step into the international fray.
The former Juventus player disclosed the link on the TV show ‘Grand Hotel Chiambretti’ as well as discussing matters specific to the Azzurri.
“Balotelli to the European Championships?” he pondered, “There is work to be done with him, as there is with all of the team in order to understand certain things.”
When asked if he was still in love with Juventus, Conte’s response was diplomatic.
“I’m in love with all teams,” he explained. “That includes Torino, as I am bound to my friendship with [Gianluca] Petrachi”.
Conte and Petrachi came through the ranks together at Lecce and the former Nottingham Forest midfielder is now sporting director of the Granata.
“The only story I can tell of my Premier League adventure is that the team I was hoping for installed a coach who was already in charge of an international side.”
Conte has won five of his first six games in charge of the Azzurri.
