Conte warns Premier League clubs to wield bazookas wisely

Antonio Conte, 57, told The Athletic that the Premier League now "uses bazookas while everywhere else they are still using pistols" and that he remains attracted to England’s top flight, even if it means taking a job midway through a season should the right project appear.

Premier League's spending power

During the 2026 summer window the league set a new record for expenditure, eclipsing the previous high water mark. Manchester City matched Liverpool’s earlier record by paying 125 million pounds for Enzo Fernández, and the transfer marked the ninth deal in England to top the 100 million pound barrier.

Conte added that having money does not automatically translate into success. "You may even have the money, but you need to spend it wisely," he said, stressing that financial muscle must be paired with shrewd decision‑making.

Conte's career and ambitions

The Italian manager’s affection for English football stems from his spell at Chelsea, where he captured the Premier League title in the 2016/17 season. He praised the pressure and the relentless pursuit of big objectives that define the league.

That campaign saw Chelsea win 13 consecutive matches, finish with 93 points and record 30 victories from 38 games – a turnaround from a 10th‑place finish the season before. The following year the club added the FA Cup, cementing Conte’s legacy in England.

Conte’s résumé also includes league crowns with Juventus and Inter, a World Cup runner‑up finish with Italy in 1994, and three lost Champions League finals with Juventus (1996‑97, 1997‑98, 2002‑03). He believes winners are remembered while losers fade quickly, a view shaped by his own triumphs and defeats.

He confirmed he would entertain a mid‑season appointment if the opportunity justified the move. "If it were worth it, I would consider it," Conte explained, underscoring his willingness to work under pressure.

Reflecting on his brief Tottenham stint in 2023 – his only other unsuccessful spell besides Atalanta – Conte recalled a message from former chairman Daniel Levy after a defeat, which highlighted the scepticism he faced at clubs deemed incapable of winning.

Looking ahead, Conte said he is drawn to clubs that have “lost sight of their history” and wishes to revive that legacy. He named historic sides such as Milan, Juventus, Chelsea and Manchester United as examples of institutions he would relish helping back to the summit.

While no concrete offer has emerged, Conte’s comments make clear that any future role must combine financial muscle, historic ambition and the pressure he thrives on.