Walter Mazzarri reveals Antonio Conte feud with gaffe comment caught on microphone
Watford boss Walter Mazzarri’s simmering feud with Antonio Conte has been brought to light – after he was caught on microphone muttering about the Chelsea manager under his breath,
Mazzarri and Conte have developed a fierce rivalry from their time working opposite each other in Italian football.
Walter Mazzarri was caught on microphone muttering about Antonio Conte under his breathRex Features
And the Hornets boss let his true feelings be known about Chelsea’s Premier League winner after his side’s 4-3 defeat at Stamford Bridge.
Mazzarri had just taken his seat after following Conte into the post-match press conference on Monday night, when he spoke to his translator in Italian unaware the microphones were on.
The Watford boss covered his mouth but and asked: “Has he gone?
“Let’s hope so, let’s hope we don’t have to see him again.” then he turns to journalists and asks in English for the first question.
Walter Mazzarri and Antonio Conte had a long-running feud while they were opposition managers in ItalyNews Group Newspapers Ltd
The two have been fierce rivals since their days in Italy’s series A when Mazzarri was in charge of Napoli and Conte was at Juventus – and there has long been a history of bad blood between them.
Today the off air comments were being broadcast on major Italian sport websites – top selling Gazzetta dello Sport said: “Chelsea Watford Mazzarri’s Conte gaffe”.
Most read in football
DONE DEAL
Man United boss Jose Mourinho makes Espanyol's Arnau Puigmal his first summer signing
OUT OF THIS WORLD
David Luiz splashes out £1.1m on luxury bracelets for Chelsea team-mates to celebrate winning title… and gift for Abramovic is made from FIVE BILLION-year-old meteorite
'NOT A COACH'
Arsene Wenger can't coach his way out of a paper bag and Arsenal blocked my return FOUR times, says Tony Adams
ALL WHITE FOR SOME
Manchester United train ahead of their final Premier League match... but has Paul Pogba forgotten his boots?
german off-icieny
Bibiana Steinhaus will become Bundesliga's first female referee — and she's Howard Webb's girlfriend
WAYNING POWERS
Jose Mourinho reveals Wayne Rooney faces 'very difficult' situation as he comes to 'last part of career'
Yoko oh yes
Chelsea to ramp up bid to land Tiemoue Bakayoko for £43m and could throw in Michy Batshuayi to seal deal
NO WAY JOSE
Antoine Griezmann will STAY at Atletico Madrid and snub Man United as he 'loves Diego Simeone'
Talisman
Antonio Conte promises to build Chelsea team around Eden Hazard if Belgian signs new £300k-a-week deal
Zoum off to France
Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma set for season-long loan spell with Marseille ready to make move
AND HE'S WON IT
Ander Herrera bags player of the year award at Man United's lavish end of season bash hosted by Rachel Riley
KYL-ER BLOW
Liverpool have £64m bid for Monaco star Kylian Mbappe turned down, according to bizarre rumour
Ajax to grind
Jose Mourinho says Ajax should not be in Europa League because they played Champions League
MOUR'S MINIS
Jose Mourinho set to name TEN Man Utd kids in his squad for final Prem game of season against Palace
Blues in Aub-it
Chelsea want Borussia Dortmund's 37-goal hero Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to replace Diego Costa
PITCH BATTLE
Hull groundsmen to take club to court for wrongful dismissal after being sacked 'over state of pitch'
MANC MESSI
Meet Angel Gomes... the Manchester United wonderkid being compared to Barcelona great
TAM'S THE MAN
Everton to use Tammy Abraham as leverage in any deal to take Romelu Lukaku back to Chelsea
Fernando chase
Chelsea and Manchester City want Swansea striker Fernando Llorente as back-up next season
Dier Straits
Tottenham shaken as Eric Dier wants to leave along with Kyle Walker and Danny Rose... as both Manchester clubs prepare to swoop for Spurs stars
Earlier this week Mazzari had told The Sun he had buried the hatchet with but the comments would suggest he would like to do something else with the hatchet.
Mazzarri’s vendetta goes back to 2011 when Conte infuriated him by copying the Napoli boss’s 3-4-3 system he had created.
Conte had always favoured a trusty 4-2-4 but when his team snatched a 3-3 draw from the brink of defeat, from that night on he became a 3-4-3 man and that season Juve won the title but lost the Italian Cup to Napoli.
Mazzarri barks out orders at Stamford Bridge but cannot escape the shadow of Antonio ConteRex Features
In 2013 Mazzarri led Napoli to second place behind Juve, still managed by Conte, but again their best finish in over 20 years.
Mazzarri, 55, though insisted: “What happened between us then in the past. Although I don’t know what formation he will play against us on Monday night!
“I hope he wins the title for them. Not just because of the Italian connection but because Chelsea deserve to win. They have had a great season.
“They are a strong team, well trained with big players although a good manager of course makes the difference.
“Before the game here at Vicarage Road, our first home match of the season last August, we talked for a long time about everything.
“There is nothing bad between us any more and I wish him all the best.
Antonio Conte salutes the crowd after his title winning side beat Watford 4-3Walter Mazzarri complains about the time wasting of ChelseaReuters
"When we meet on Monday we will be safe in the Premier League and I hope be then he has won the Premier league.
“There will be less tension in the game because hopefully we will be relaxed and both reached our targets.”
The Sun contacted Watford but they were unavailable for comment.
Leave a comment