By ESPN staff
Juventus coach Antonio Conte has told fans that he hopes to follow the example of the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.
Conte courted controversy last weekend as his celebrations after the 2-0 win over Bologna – which sent the Old Lady 12 points clear at the top of the Serie A table (since pegged back to nine) – received widespread criticism from the Italian media and saw him claim: “It makes me want to leave Italy. This is sport, not war.”
However, to reassure the Juve fans that he will not be quitting just yet, Conte responded when he saw a large banner that read ‘Ferguson-Manchester United = Conte-Juventus’ at an award ceremony in Catanzaro on Tuesday.
“I will try,” he said. “I will try to remain for all that time to achieve many victories and get closer to such an extraordinary and legendary personality as Sir Alex Ferguson.
“When my journey with Juventus is finished, then I will want to challenge myself abroad, but I hope that day is a long way away.
“The Juventus fans don’t need to show me their affection. I already know how much they care for me and the team.”
Fergie has been at Old Trafford since 1986, winning 12 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, four League Cups and two Champions League trophies, while Conte’s arrival in the Turin hotseat brought them the Serie A title, the Supercoppa Italia and the Coppa Italia in his first season.
Conte is now one of the most highly-rated young managers in Europe and has recently been linked with the Chelsea job this summer.
