Antonio Conte has questioned why managers like him are left to face all the difficult questions while those in charge of Premier League clubs stay silent.
In a fascinating press conference ahead of Thursday’s trip to Manchester City, the Tottenham manager – who has faced criticism along with chairman Daniel Levy – bemoaned why English football cannot follow the model in Italy, when senior figures are forced to face the media and address issues such as wider club strategy.
Fabio Paratici – Spurs’ managing director of football – would speak every week while at Juventus alongside Conte.
In north London, however, the Italian rarely answers questions in public, while Levy does very few interviews and delivers only one ‘chairman’s message’ a year.
‘In England, there is a bad habit that there is only the coach to speak and to explain. I have never seen the medical department come here to explain why this player is having difficulty to recover. I have never seen the club or sporting director come here to explain the strategy and vision of the club,’ Conte said.
‘In Italy for example, before every game there is a person from the club who has to go before the media and answer every question. For us, it could be much, much better.
'Because otherwise, every time there is only one face to explain a situation which I think is better for the club to explain. But this is a habit and I respect this habit.’
Conte has not spoken to Levy or Tottenham about changing tack, insisting: ‘I am not going to ask anything. This type of situation is good for every club: “Don't go into the media”.
In this type of situation, it's a risk to speak always to explain this type of situation. The coach has to stay silent and accept the situation.’
But, amid mixed results and swelling frustration among supporters over the club’s direction, Conte suggested it might help avoid ‘misunderstandings’ if the club occasionally took responsibility for answering questions.
‘In Italy, it's different, the person from the club during the game week speaks and explains many situations. If only the coach speaks there are sometimes misunderstandings. I think it would be good to have the club present in the media and to speak. Not every week but at least every 15 days or once a month.
‘In this way it could also be more simple for you (the media) to understand the situation. And not only have one face and always the same face. Believe me it's difficult because every you [I] tell could be a criticism or negative, and this is not the truth.’