Antonio Conte has played down the importance of his contract length at Tottenham but reiterated how happy he is at the Premier League club.
Speculation has swirled in recent weeks over a potential return to Juventus, who got off to a bad start to the new campaign under Massimiliano Allegri.
Conte’s current terms at Spurs expire next summer, prompting talk he could return to his former side at the end of the current season, but Tottenham have the option of extending his contract for a further 12 months. , according to the PA news agency.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s trip to Arsenal, the 53-year-old admitted: “I don’t think there is a right time. It can be tomorrow, it can be the last day of the Premier League season. , you understand ?
“I think the most important thing to understand for me and for the club is that we want to continue together and go in the same direction. I think that’s the most important thing. Otherwise I don’t see a problem. or other situations.
“I have said in the past that you don’t need a contract to be sure of staying at a club. I also think that for the club it is a good investment to have a coach like me and my staff.
“I think at the right time we will make the best decision but at the moment I’m really happy and I don’t want to push the club or other situations because it’s not the right time. We have just started the season and we still have a long time to live together, to understand each other and to continue to work together.
“The most important thing for me is that I really like working with Tottenham and with these players here. I’m really happy to work with these players and the relationship with the owner, Daniel (Levy) and Fabio (Paratici) is good. .
“I’m fine and I think the club is happy with this situation. Now the most important thing is the present and the future of Tottenham and trying to get the best possible results.”
Juventus are eighth in Serie A and seven points behind leaders Napoli.
But Conte, who enjoyed a trophy-laden spell with the Old Lady, insisted: “I think it’s disrespectful for the Juventus coach and disrespectful for me working for Tottenham.
“We have just started the season. I have often spoken about this subject and I have always said that I was happy and that I enjoyed my time with Tottenham. Then we have the whole season to find the best solution for the club and for me.
The Spurs boss also expressed his disappointment at having to speak about a racist incident involving Richarlison on international duty.
Richarlison scored in Brazil’s 5-1 win over Tunisia on Tuesday at the Parc des Princes but had a banana thrown his way as he celebrated his 19th-minute effort.
“Richy played with the national team, scored a goal and then I think what happened is amazing because in 2022 to witness this type of situation is embarrassing for everyone,” Conte said.
“Of course, I hope these people can be banned from football for the rest of their lives, but it’s a very disappointing situation as well to comment on that.”
The international break posed injury problems for Spurs before facing Arsenal with captain Hugo Lloris out for both of France’s games with a “small injury” to his right thigh.
Dejan Kulusevski has also returned from his duties with Sweden with a problem, which cast doubt on his participation in Saturday’s midday kick-off at the Emirates.
Conte added: “Tomorrow will be very important, the last training session, to understand the players we can count on.
“Honestly, I don’t want to talk about the injury because I don’t want to give Arsenal (the) advantage. But for sure we have to deal with problems, physical problems.
“We have just started playing the first game in a series that we have to play 13 games in 43 days. Of course we have to try to find the best solution and try not to take big risks because if we take big risks and lose players for the rest of the games it will be a disaster.
