Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic worked with Antonio Conte for a single season at Chelsea before he made the switch to Old Trafford.
During that one campaign, the Blues won the Premier League title, and there are now reports that Conte could link up with his former player once again if does replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the United hot seat.
Back in 2019, when Conte was appointed Inter Milan head coach, Matic was asked about what qualities the Italian possesses, and he was effusive in his praise of his former boss:
“He is crazy about football. He works 24 hours a day, analyses their players and opponents to the fullest. Tactically he is certainly one of the best in the world. At the physical level, he makes his team run at the same levels for 95 minutes. A professional, one of the best in the world.”
At the moment, most reports (in the English media at least) suggest that the Red Devils have not contacted Conte about the manager’s job, although most sources agree that the 52-year-old would be very open to the appointment (even during the season).
Despite his undoubted ability as a manager, Conte’s intense management style and his rigid tactics are not likely to win him many friends among United’s board, even if Matic does rate him very highly.
