Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/347048
Sport 19 maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 16 JULY 2014 SPORTTODAY FOOTBALL Conte resigns as Juventus coach The coach guided Juventus to three consecutive league titles and signed a contract extension in may but has made an astonishing u-turn by handing in his resignation THE 44-year-old announced his decision in a video interview on the club's official website - just a day af- ter the start of pre-season. Juventus also confirmed Conte's decision to step down - citing mu- tual consent - with chairman And- rea Agnelli delivering a passionate tribute. "Dear Antonio, you have been a great leader and this news saddens me greatly," he wrote on Juve's of- ficial site. "Three years together have led us to write history with three consecu- tive titles and two Italian cups. "You have given a group of highly talented professionals who will be at the disposal of the new coach to continue writing the future. "You are in the history of the Bian- coneri colours and whatever choice you make, a Juventus victory will always make you smile. "Antonio, thank you for every- thing. Till the end." Speaking to www.juventus.com, Conte said time had caught up with him at the club and that the time was right to bid them farewell. "I have decided to terminate my contract with Juventus," he said. "I have matured with time and my feelings led me to make this choice. It may be more difficult to keep win- ning with Juventus. "An enormous thank you for what you have given to me as a player and as a coach. I have always been close to you. I want to say that the jour- ney taken in recent years has been historic." Conte, a former Italy international, joined Juve from Siena in 2011 and returned to Turin to a fanfare owing to his standing as one of the club's greatest ever players. He made over 500 appearances in black and white and won five league titles. That Midas touch continued as he won Serie A at the first attempt with his side going unbeaten throughout the league season. A second title duly followed but the summer of 2013 saw him em- broiled in a corruption row after he was charged with failing to report attempted match-fixing during his time with Siena. Conte pleaded innocence but was banned for 10 months - a sentence reduced to a four-month touchline suspension last August. He returned to the dugout mid- way through last season and duly led Juve to another title, the 32nd in their history. Conte signed a new deal through to the summer of 2015 earlier this year but now appears to be the man destined to fill Cesare Prandelli's shoes in charge of the Italian na- tional side. He leaves amid fevered speculation regarding the future of key players Paul Pogba and Arturo Vidal. Former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini and ex-AC Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri are already being linked with his posi- tion at Juventus. Download the MaltaToday App now