AT A time when most of the world is trying to come together and be united, Diego Costa decided to open up an old wound by reigniting his feud with Antonio Conte.
The Atletico Madrid striker insists there is no bad blood between the pair but then labelled the Italian as “suspicious” and insisted he “would never last a season at Real Madrid”.
Costa and Conte spectacularly fell out during their time at Chelsea, with the former Blues manager informing the striker he was surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge via a 27-word text.
Reports claimed Conte wrote: “Hi Diego, I hope you are well. Thanks for the seasono [sic] we spent together. Good luck for the next year but you are not in my plan”
Costa’s simply replied: “Ok,” and then flew to Brazil, claiming he had been treated “like a criminal”.
The forward eventually left for Atleti in the 2017/18 season while Conte was axed at the end of that campaign.
Now unpredictable Costa he has landed another dig at his former boss, revealing the pair had “problems”.
Despite criticising his man-management, Costa was complimentary of Conte’s tactical ability as a gaffer.
Speaking to ESPN, Costa said: “[Conte and I] had problems off the pitch, but I think he is a really good manager.
“I have no hard feelings towards Conte, but to be a top, top manager, he needs to change the human side of his management.
“He is very suspicious. At a team like, say, Real Madrid, he would never last a season.”
Costa scored 59 goals in 120 Chelsea appearances before his return to the LaLiga side, where he has struggled to hit the heights that earned his Stamford Bridge move in 2014.
The manner of his falling out with Conte left a bad taste in his mouth – and he says it would have been easier for him if he’d avoided Chelsea in the first place.
Speaking in 2018, he said: “I was wrong going to Chelsea because of their way of dealing with things. It was a very bad moment, but it wasn’t my fault.
“People said things, but time puts everything in its place. Look where the coach is now, look at Conte.
“(Diego) Simeone is a direct coach, and when he doesn’t love you, it’s clear and he facilitates it. At Chelsea it was the opposite.”
Conte is now in charge at Inter Milan looking to add to the three successive Serie A titles he won with Juventus between 2011 and 2014.
He took over at the San Siro last summer and, despite a title challenge appearing to be on, his side slipped nine points behind leaders Juve before the season was suspended.
However, he is enjoying a better season than nemesis Costa.
Atletico are down in sixth, albeit just a point off the Champions League spots.
Costa has chipped in with just two goals in 19 matches and missed part of the season after needing surgery following a disc slip in his back.
