Antonio Conte Manchester United links have been played down by the Italian coach, who has denied reports of advanced negotiations to replace Michael Carrick at Old Trafford amid growing scrutiny of the club’s performances. The former Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Napoli boss also denied that he had demanded “total control” of football operations — and of finances — when considering a potential move to the struggling English giants. The report cited Manchester United’s “difficult campaign” as the reason the Italian was of interest to the club, as they sit 13th in the Premier League and 20th in the Champions League.
A severe 4-1 loss to Italian side Como has only added to the concerns about Carrick’s situation. There was no reason to believe an agreement was imminent and there was no sign of a deal being in the works, Conte said. The 57-year-old revealed in a statement that his name had been thrown around by a number of clubs but that they had not progressed to an advanced stage.
Conte also added he would take his time to make a decision when to come back to the managerial bench after a successful spell at Napoli. In the 2024-25 season, the Italian guided Napoli to the Serie A title, and again to a second-place finish in the next season. He later departed from the club, leaving the club with yet another big domestic success on his managerial shelf. Conte, who was accused of making a number of demands and being a man with strong character, said the reports were ridiculous and should not be considered facts.
If there was an actual opportunity, then he said he would have met with the interested club to determine if there was an agreement on the terms that would work for both parties. Conte’s offer doesn’t offer any indication of a move for Manchester United.
