ANTONIO CONTE has hinted he is in it for the long haul at Spurs.
The Italian has typically been non-committal about his future throughout his managerial career, including during his first season at Tottenham last term.
Boss Conte targets long-term success at the North London club
But speaking in Tel Aviv ahead of his team’s friendly with Roma, Conte seemed very enthused about what lies ahead with the north Londoners.
And for someone who always chooses their words carefully, it was noticeable when he hailed his squad’s potential as something he can work with “for many years” to turn Spurs into a force both at home and abroad.
Conte, who turns 53 on Sunday, said: “Last season we worked very well to reach a place in the Champions League.
“At the same time we exploited problems, Manchester United’s problems, and in the last three games Arsenal were four points up on us.
“For this reason we have to continue with the club to build with the players, to continue to improve them. They have a lot of space for improvement.
“This is a young team and we can work for many years together to improve and fight with the best teams in England and in Europe.”
Conte’s contract runs out at the end of the upcoming campaign, with an option of a further year.
He had hinted he could quit the club last season if Spurs did not match his ambition in the transfer market.
But the Italian has been backed with SIX new signings: £50m striker Richarlison, £25million midfielder Yves Bissouma, £12.5m wing-back Djed Spence, Croatia legend Ivan Perisic, goalkeeper Fraser Forster and Barcelona loanee central defender Clement Lenglet.
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One player who is set to have a starring role this season is Dejan Kulusevski.
The Swede, 22, joined the club on loan from Juventus in January with little fanfare but flourished under Conte, scoring five times and grabbing eight assists in just 18 Premier League games.
Asked if he was surprised by how well his time in England has gone so far, Kulusevski replied: “I knew I can play football, I knew my qualities. But I came from a really hard time where I didn’t play for six months.
“So, of course I was a little bit, you know… I know the Premier League is much faster and much stronger.
“But I got much help from the team, from the coach and the players, so I’m really grateful for them taking me in and letting me be myself.”
Kulusevski has added competition for his place with the arrival of Brazil attacker Richarlison from Everton, and could even be deployed at right wing-back at times this season.
Quizzed on what he felt was his best position, he replied: “I’ve been thinking about this my whole life. I always thought of me being a No 10, I still think I am.
“But my best results as a football player have always come being a right-winger, so I don’t know!
“In the future, we will see where I will be. I can probably play wing-back too.”
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