Chelsea
head coach Antonio Conte understands Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola's
comments on retirement, but the Italian says he needs football.
Conte began his managerial career in 2006 at Italian side Arezzo and went on
to manage Bari, Atalanta, Siena, Juventus and the Italian national team
before taking over at Stamford Bridge last summer.
Asked about the prospect of emulating the longevity of former Manchester
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson or Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, Conte
initially suggested he could envisage managing for 10 more years, but he
seemed tempted by more.
"You are talking about two monsters, two great managers," Conte said.
"They are a big example for me. I hope to have, not completely their career,
but 10 years, yes. It's enough for me.
"Twenty more years? Now I'm 47. I prefer that my wife doesn't listen to
this.
"This is our life. Football is our life, with this pressure, with all. In
the moment that football is not in our life, I think probably we die."
Conte enjoyed a stellar playing career with Juventus and Italy and Guardiola
did likewise with Barcelona and Spain before each swiftly began management
careers which have brought further success.
Conte, who has respect and admiration for the City boss, believes that
contributed to Guardiola airing his thoughts on the future.
Guardiola on Thursday clarified remarks he made in an interview with NBC, in
which he said he was already thinking about his retirement.
The City boss insisted it was not imminent, but said he would not be
coaching when he is 60 years old.
Conte added: "When you have a method, when you have a philosophy of
football, an idea you want to bring in every team you manage, you spend a
lot of energy.
"And sometimes it can happen that you are a bit tired. Above all when you
were a footballer and you spent your life, 20 years, to play every week, to
have one training session, two training sessions in one day and then quickly
you became a manager.
"You spend a lot of energy. But not just physical energy. Also mental
energy.
"In some moments it can happen to think this. I'm sure that Pep wants to
continue for a lot of time.
"When you decide to do this work it's because you like this. You like to
have this pressure, this moment that the pressure is enormous. We need
this."
Chelsea, five points clear in the Premier League, play Peterborough in the
FA Cup third round on Sunday.
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