Exits for Conte and Zidane, together with talk of Pochettino returning to Spurs, epitomise the chaos of modern football
At first glance, Antonio Conte leaving a club in dispute with the owners soon after leading them to a league title may not seem particularly significant. This is what he does. His departure from Internazionale follows ostensibly similar departures from Juventus and Chelsea, and he left the Italy national job early as well.
But this is about far more than Conte. What is happening at Inter is emblematic of the chaos of modern football and the struggles of an industry that had become a stage for the soft-power machinations of various states and oligarchs and was in need of major financial recalibration even before the pandemic hammered revenues. And as crisis looms, the distressed securities investors begin to hover.
Related: No regrets, insists Pirlo as Juventus sack him and confirm Allegri as manager
Related: Zinedine Zidane’s departure from Real Madrid seems to suit both parties | Sid Lowe
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