Fabio Paratici reveals why Antonio Conte didn’t join Tottenham in the summer

Tottenham Hotspur managing director Fabio Paratici faced the media ahead of Spurs’ Europa Conference League game and revealed why Antonio Conte didn’t join in the summer.

The Italian was expected to join up in N17 with Paratici, who he used to work with at Juventus, before the season started.

However Conte pulled out, and instead the managing director appointed Nuno Espirito Santo - who was far down the pecking order.

The Portuguese lasted only four months at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but ultimately paid the price for a heavy 3-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester United.

Nuno Espírito Santo made a bright start as head coach winning his first three league games and was awarded the Premier League Manager of the Month of the August.

But all that came crashing after defeats to Crystal Palace, Arsenal and Tottenham revealed the true scale of work awaiting him.

His reign however came to an abrupt end after an alarming defeat to Manchester United last week.

Fabio Paratici, who worked with Nuno in bringing players like Cristian Romero, explained it was a difficult decision to take.

He said: “It was not an easy decision to take but football is football.

“Now is the right time because we spoke to Antonio in the summer and at that time he was not emotionally ready.

“When you appoint someone you think you have the best.

“Now we have to make a good decision for the club and move forward. We are optimistic.”

Fabio Paratici also admitted he was glad to have a serial winner at Tottenham, and was hoping they can work together to achieve the dreams of everyone associated with the club.

He added: “It’s not just about an individual it’s about the club and we are all here to work and achieve the aims of the club.

“I know Antonio very well from our time together at Juventus and we did not win it all instantly but we took time to get it done.

“He is a hard worker with a lot of passion and knowledge, one of the best coaches in the world and now is the time to be committed and get results.

On the issue of Harry Kane struggling for form under Nuno, Paratici  said this was a new beginning and was a chance for everyone at the club to improve.

“We try to do the best for everyone at this club, it’s not just about Harry it’s for everyone and this is just a perfect chance for us all to be able to start and get to the level we all want to get to,” he added.