Antonio Conte Would Be a 'Disaster' at Manchester United, Claims Ashley Young
Former teammate Ashley Young warns that Antonio Conte's intense training methods and long meetings would clash with Manchester United's current players and ownership.
Ashley Young has stated that Antonio Conte would be a "disaster" if he were to take over as manager at Manchester United. Young, who played under Conte at Inter Milan, cited the Italian's demanding training sessions and lengthy post-match meetings as reasons why the current Manchester United squad and ownership would likely not adapt well to his methods.
Conte, currently out of work after leaving Napoli, has expressed a desire to manage a "fallen giant" club, a sentiment that has fueled speculation about a potential move to Manchester United. However, Young cautioned that the club's players might not welcome Conte's approach, recalling similar sentiments from players at Tottenham Hotspur, where Conte previously managed.
"A lot of talk has been about Man United’s running stats. If they’re not going to run and Antonio Conte goes in there, it’s going to be a disaster, I think," Young told the Overlap Daily show. He added that while Conte's methods made him fitter than ever, the training sessions could be "a little bit boring" and meetings could extend for "three, four hours" if a game was lost.
Young suggested that this intensity and the manager's directness might be why Conte "doesn’t last long at places," as it could alienate not only players but also club boards and owners.
Conte boasts an impressive resume, having won league titles with Chelsea, Juventus, and Inter Milan. However, his managerial tenures are often characterized by a short duration and a confrontational style. His time at Tottenham ended in March 2023 after a public criticism of his players and the club's direction.
Manchester United has been experiencing a difficult period, having not secured a Premier League title since the 2012-13 season under Sir Alex Ferguson. Their trophy cabinet has since seen only an FA Cup twice, an EFL Cup twice, and a Europa League title. The club currently sits 13th in the Premier League standings.
Conte's recent interview with The Athletic, where he spoke about his ambition to revive a historic club, has brought him back into discussions surrounding the Manchester United manager's role. He stated, "I'd like to go to one of these clubs to dust off that history and make it shine once more. Clubs where there's pressure, where, ultimately, you know full well that you're not going there just to take part, but to compete."