Antonio Conte has been appointed Tottenham manager to replace the sacked Nuno Espirito Santo, with the Italian signing an initial 18-month contract that includes an extension option. Nuno only took the reins in north London back in June, but he lasted just four months before pressure from the disillusioned fan base led to another change being made.

Conte, who met his new squad for the first time on Tuesday morning, returns to the Premier League three years on from a stint at Chelsea that delivered top-flight title glory and an FA Cup triumph.

   The former Juventus and Italy coach was then in talks with Tottenham in the summer about becoming Jose Mourinho’s successor. But negotiations were halted before Spurs appointed ex-Wolves boss Nuno at the end of June, with the Portuguese boss, 47, lasting just four months.” I can’t wait to start working to convey to the team and the fans the passion, mentality, and determination that have always distinguished me, as a player and as a coach,” said Conte.

“Last summer our union did not happen because the end of my relationship with Inter was still too recent and emotionally too involved with the end of the season, so I felt that it wasn’t yet the right time to return to coaching. “But the contagious enthusiasm and determination of [Tottenham chairman] Daniel Levy in wanting to entrust me with this task had already hit the mark.

“Now that the opportunity has returned, I have chosen to take it with great conviction.”