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Recap: Conte’s last press conference as Italy coach
“Today is even more disappointing and yesterday, I am emotionally involved because now I realize that this is the end. I am sorry for the lads, I am sorry for myself. It was an honour to coach them. They gave me everything. I want to thank all my staff as well, including chefs and warehousemen. Everyone. It was an honour to work with them.”
"I also want to thank Lele Oriali a very quiet and efficient person. He’s an amazing man with true human values. I want to thank the president because he gave me the opportunity to have this amazing experience. I hope it is a goodbye and not a definitive farewell.”
“I want to thank journalists as well for the last two years we spent together. I know I am not an easy going person but we’ve known each other and we reached a point of mutual respect. People have to know each other, we are not the same. What’s important is to have respect and collaboration.”
“I wish all the best to the national team and my successor Giampiero Ventura, I think we’ve left an important mark, the mark of the hard work. The president and the Italian federation have begun a good path to bring our colours back to the top. Respect from everyone and play even games with the world and European champions is what we achieved during the tournament.”