Antonio Conte, the former Napoli coach who snagged a Scudetto just a year ago, is officially a free agent after a mutual split with the club. And let me tell you, this man isn't sitting quietly! He just dropped some serious truth bombs as a pundit on DAZN Italia, flat-out saying he was "not contacted" for the Italy national team job, despite all the crazy rumors flying around. He's also got a very specific defender in mind that Inter *needs* to snag, calling him the undisputed best at the World Cup.
Conte's Italy Stance: "No" to the Azzurri
Look, the Italy job is always a massive deal, and Conte's name has been linked to the Azzurri bench non-stop. He was already the Italy coach from 2014 to 2016, a time he described as a "wonderful experience." But when he was asked directly if the FIGC, with its new leaders, had even bothered to ask for his availability for Italy, his reply was a blunt, unequivocal "No." That's a mic drop right there! He did talk up the new figures in charge, mentioning Marco Malagò as a "strong figure" and Paolo Maldini, whom Conte called "the best ever Italian defender" who "did very well as a director at Milan" and simply "could not remain out of football." But for Conte, it’s all about a "shared vision, that it is embraced without ifs or buts." He's not just taking any gig, he wants total buy-in. Seems like he's not getting that vibe from the Azzurri right now.Cristian Romero Is the "Best Defender By A Mile" at the World Cup
Okay, if you thought his Italy comments were spicy, wait until you hear his take on Tottenham's Cristian Romero. Conte, who used to coach Spurs, was doling out advice to Inter amid reports they want to snap up Romero. He's absolutely convinced Romero is the real deal, saying his "performance in this World Cup has been rather under-estimated." Under-estimated?! The man went on to call him "the best defender by a mile compared to all the others" in the entire tournament! Conte thinks Romero is having an "extraordinary tournament" and has "improved so much." He loves that Romero is a "tough player" and how "Argentine’s still play street football, which is a positive thing that we are missing in Italy." For Conte, Romero's style is all about that gritty mentality: "Every match is it’s either you or me, so irritating your opponent is part of the game." That’s high praise from a guy who lives and breathes defense, and he clearly thinks Inter should "go all-in" for him, even if he's not sure Tottenham would sell. What's next for Conte? He's a free agent with strong opinions, and he’s clearly not afraid to voice them. Tonight's the big one, the 2026 World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina. You just know Conte will be watching to see if his pick, Cristian Romero, brings home the trophy for Argentina and puts on another "best defender" performance!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.