Antonio Conte has hinted he would welcome the chance to manage Manchester United, expressing a desire to restore a fallen giant to its former glory as pressure mounts on Michael Carrick.
United have won just one of their first five Premier League matches this season. Their most recent result before the international break was a 1-1 draw away at struggling Fulham, with pressure building on Carrick. If results do not improve after the break, there could be calls for the manager to be replaced.
Conte's ambition to revive a fallen giant
Speaking in an interview with The Athletic, Conte said: "If you go to a club where the history speaks for itself - a history made up of trophies, league titles and victories - you can only honour that history in one way: by having the ambition to bring that club back - if it isn't there today to fight for those goals."
He added: "I know full well that only one team can win every year, but I must carry in my heart - and instil in the hearts of the fans, my players and my directors - that spark, that hope that makes you say, 'F**k, we can win'."
United would match those criteria. It is over a decade since the Old Trafford club were crowned champions of England, and their last Champions League triumph came in 2008.
Conte on restoring history
On the prospect of restoring fallen glory, Conte continued: "Even that one per cent — but it must be a one per cent that can become 70, 80 or even 100 per cent. It depends on how you convey it.
"The manager is important, because he conveys that message, day in, day out. He has daily interactions with everyone: with his staff, the masseur, the kit man, the physiotherapist, the groundsman — all people who need to be involved and feel part of the drive to make history, and you only make history by winning.
"There are many clubs that have somewhat lost sight of their history. 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."
Carrick's next test
Carrick will be hoping to fend off calls for his head when United return to action after the international break. Their first assignment is a home match against Tottenham, who are winless after the opening five matches this season.
