Leeds United's owner reveals he tried to appoint Antonio Conte in 2018

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 02 November 2021

Leeds owner reveals he tried to appoint Conte in 2018

Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani reveals that he approached newly-appointed Tottenham Hotspur boss Antonio Conte about taking charge at Elland Road back in 2018.

Leeds United owner and chairman Andrea Radrizzani revealed that he approached newly-appointed Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte about taking charge at Elland Road back in 2018.

It was announced on Tuesday morning that ex-Chelsea boss Conte will take the reins in North London, following the departure of Nuno Espirito Santo.

Radrizzani, who announced the 100% buyout of Leeds in May 2017, was desperate to help the club secure promotion from the Championship, and just over a year after his arrival at Elland Road, he claimed to have held talks with Conte's representatives before eventually appointing current boss Marcelo Bielsa.

"I do not deny that I made an attempt for Conte. I have a weakness for him, I would have offered £20m too," Radrizzani told La Gazzetta dello Sport in 2018.

"With him, I was sure that promotion to the Premier League would have been assured. But we are extremely satisfied with Bielsa, we have chosen one of the best in the world."

The 47-year-old is also understood to have spoken to Claudio Ranieri – who is now in charge at Watford – as well as current Belgium head coach Roberto Martinez during his search to replace Paul Heckingbottom four years ago.

Conte was sacked by Chelsea at the end of the 2017-18 campaign after finishing fifth in the Premier League and winning the FA Cup, and just a month later Bielsa joined Leeds, who lost in the Championship playoffs during the Argentine's first season at the helm.