Antonio Conte is a formerly famous footballer, and now a coach of the Italian national team. He was born in Lecce on July 31, 1969. His father, Cosimo, served as president of the club with the very symbolic name Juventina-Lecce, who played in the country's third-rated division. It was he who brought the boy to view in this team. Over the course of a player’s career, the athlete has been a member of the Lecce and Juventus clubs, and has also been called up to the national team several times. During his career, he was assigned the nickname Graf.
Player career
At the age of sixteen, Antonio Conte made his debut in the top Italian division in the “Lecce”. This happened in 1986. He played for the team for 6.5 seasons. In 1991, the club flew into the lower division. Be that as it may, the Lecce mentor advised the young midfielder to the Juventus coach, his former teammate Giovanni Trapatoni. As a result, Antonio was acquired by an Italian grand for the amount of 4.8 million US dollars. November 17, the guy played his first match in the Bianconeri, having replaced in a meeting with Torino. A year later, the midfielder was already considered a full-fledged player of the “foundation”. In 1993, Marcello Lippi became the new head coach . Under his leadership, Conte noticeably added to skill and football intelligence. Not surprisingly, at this time, the player received a call to the Italian national team. In 1996, together with his team, the footballer became a Champion League triumph. After that, the club leaders went to speak in Britain, and Antonio was chosen captain next season.
As part of Juventus, the athlete played until the end of the player’s career in 2004. For twelve years, he managed to win with this team almost all possible trophies of club European football, while remaining a vivid example of an incredible character and will to win.
The beginning of a coaching career
Before the start of the 2008-2009 season, it was officially announced that Antonio Conte is the coach of the Bari club, playing in the second Italian division - Serie B. In just a year, he brought the team to the “elite”. At the same time, because of disagreements with the owners of the club, the Italian did not renew his agreement. The next team he led was Atalanta. Here he stayed for only three months, after which he was fired. The following season, the young mentor received another Serie B representative, Siena. Thanks to him, the team returned to the Premier League in 2011.
Juventus
On May 31, 2011, Antonio Conte was appointed mentor of his native Juventus. After his first season on the Turin’s coaching bridge, the club became the champion of Italy several rounds before the end of the championship. This achievement was a success for the team for the next two years in a row. Be that as it may, in the European arena Juventus was not so successful. Nevertheless, the audience fell in love with Earl, and fans do not understand why he decided to leave the club in the summer of 2014. The true reasons that prompted him to make such a decision remain a mystery to this day.
Italy national team
Antonio Conte did not remain without work for a long time. On August 14, 2014, the Italian was appointed head coach of the national team of his country, signed a two-year agreement with the National Federation. The first match in the new post Graf held against the Netherlands. Then his team won 2-0. As of today, the Italians under the leadership of Conte have secured access to the European Championship 2016 in France.
Personal life
In conclusion, it is necessary to say a few words about the personal life of Antonio Conte. Earl’s family is quite large. His wife's name is Elizabeth Muscarella. Until the marriage was officially registered, the couple had known each other for fifteen years. Two years after marriage, Elizabeth gave birth to her husband, daughter Vittoria. The father is currently a businessman and the mother is a housewife. Antonio also has two younger brothers.