New Italy coach Antonio Conte brushed aside controversy over his wages, which will be partly funded by the Italian Football Federation’s sponsors, when he was presented on Tuesday.
“Nobody imposes anything on me. My eyes and those of my assistants will be the judge, not sponsors nor newspapers,” he said after succeeding Cesare Prandelli.
Conte, who was appointed last week and has his first match against Netherlands in a friendly in Bari on Sept. 4, previously led Juventus to three successive Serie A titles in as many seasons.
The media pointed out a possible conflict of interest after the federation said it reached a deal with sponsors, including Puma, to help fund Conte’s wages.
Federation head Carlo Tavecchio said the deal “was borne out of sporting necessity and the economic reality. We couldn’t get a leader like Conte at a low cost.”
Conte said he would drop Prandelli’s code of ethics, under which players were automatically dropped if they committed serious acts of indiscipline in club games.
“I will make all the selections according to my moral standards,” he said. “I live for victories ... and I’m here to bring that mentality.”
“I know the challenge I face and I’m not afraid of it,” Conte said, adding that “only real men can get over difficulties.”
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