Conte dismisses Puma pressure
19 August 2014 14:04
New Italy coach Antonio Conte has refuted claims sports manufacturer Puma could have a say in his team selections.
The German-based company will reportedly fund a majority share of Conte’s contract with the national team, which is alleged to be worth €4.1million a year.
Puma’s involvement in the deal raised concerns over whether they would push to have their sponsored players, who include Mario Balotelli and Gianluigi Buffon, included in every team selection.
But Conte aimed to ease those worries when he was presented to the media on Tuesday.
“This type of contract already exists for football players and other coaches,” he stressed. “Personally, I emphasise the words of the president when he says that to have a winning coach is important for the [Italian Football] Federation.
“My contract falls within the parameters of the Federation, and to meet them I gave them all my image rights, which in the past has never happened. So I gave up the money. There was great willingness on my part for this role.
“I think I have made great strides with the Federation in accepting this assignment.
“For me, the controversy over the contract will become a secondary thing. I want to begin to work and to follow this long path. For a certain type of question I will respond with facts.
“Will Puma interfere in squad selections? Nothing and nobody can force my decisions. If you know Antonio Conte, you should know that.”
Best Free Bet Offers - Provided by engagesuperleague.co.uk
-
Click any of the bookmakers name to activate your free bet now.
1. Unibet (sign up offer – free £20)
Deposit £20, bet with £40. Create a Unibet account here >>.
2. Ladbrokes (sign up offer – free £100)
Deposit £100, bet with £200. Create a Ladbrokes account here >>.
3. Bet365 (sign up offer - £200 in free bets)
Deposit £200, bet with £400. Create a Bet365 account here >>.
4. Offsidebet (sign up offer - £25 in free bets)
Deposit £25, bet with £50. Create a new Offsidebet account here >>.
5. Sky Bet (sign up offer – no deposit free £30)
Deposit 0, bet with £30. Create a new Sky Bet account here >>.
Louis van Gaal's rebuilding task at Manchester United will remain centred around teamwork rather than big-name signings.Despite initial optimism surrounding his appointment in May - following a woeful campaign under David Moyes - United were brought back down to earth[…]
Holger Badstuber knows that Bayern Munich are in for a tough test on Friday when they begin their Bundesliga title defence at home to Wolfsburg.Pep Guardiola's men raced to a second successive title in record time last season and were[…]
Liverpool have tabled a €22m bid for Mario Balotelli striker, it has been revealed in the Italian Press this morning.Rumours circulated earlier in the summer that the Premier League outfit were keen on signing the Milan striker.Coach Brendan Rodgers went[…]
Jonatan Soriano struck the woodwork three times and scored in Salzburg's 2-1 win over visiting Malmo in their Champions League play-off first leg.Meanwhile, Besiktas hit the bar straight from kick-off as they were held 0-0 at home by Arsenal and[…]
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone concedes city rivals Real are a better side than last term, especially with Toni Kroos' arrival.Carlo Ancelotti's Real won a double of the UEFA Champions League and Copa del Rey last season, but could only[…]
After a positive start to the new season domestically, Arsenal head to Istanbul in optimistic mood ahead of Tuesday's UEFA Champions League play-off first leg against Besiktas.The Gunners followed up a convincing victory against Manchester City in the Community Shield[…]
Roger Federer continued his perfect record against David Ferrer to claim his 80th career singles title at the Western and Southern Open.After Ferrer blitzed Federer in the second set, winning all but one game, the latter responded powerfully in the[…]
17 August 2014 21:41Wycombe Wanderers boss Gareth Ainsworth feels his side are in good shape to maintain their flying start in League Two on Tuesday.After only narrowly avoiding relegation to the Conference last term, many had expected Wycombe to struggle[…]
17 August 2014 20:34Chonburi handed the advantage back to Buriram United in the race for the Thai Premier League title as they were held 1-1 by Singhtarua.Masahiro Wada’s side secured an impressive victory over Buriram last time out as the[…]
17 August 2014 19:18Lasse Schone starred for Ajax as they won 3-1 at AZ to make it two wins from two games in the new Eredivisie season.Ajax – who have won the last four Dutch titles – produced the perfect[…]
