Berruto backs Conte: Toughness is key to his training method | OneFootball

Mauro Berruto, former head coach of the Italian national volleyball team and personal friend of Antonio Conte, spoke about Napoli’s current situation in an interview with Corriere dello Sport.

Berruto defends Conte: “There’s literature on his training methods, but that toughness is part of his approach”

A highly experienced coach and sports manager, Berruto shared a clear and profound analysis of the character and working methods of the Azzurri coach, with whom he co-authored the book “Give Everything, Demand Everything.”

“These situations are the best for his characteristics,” Berruto explains. “I can imagine him dedicating every moment of the day to searching for solutions.”

“He creates tension to stimulate a reaction: it’s part of his method”

Berruto knows Conte’s psychological approach well and his ability to turn tension into competitive energy. “There are times when he creates tension and uses certain metaphors to provoke a reaction. It’s part of his method. He needs that fuel,” says the former Azzurri coach.

The concept is clear: for Conte, pressure is not an obstacle, but a motivational lever. “In teams, there are those who need a gentle touch and those who need toughness,” Berruto continues. “Technically, yes, it’s a form of reverse psychology: how many times do we try to get into someone’s head by saying the opposite? These are working tools.”

Intense training sessions, “there’s literature on the subject”

Regarding the recent controversies about the toughness of Napoli’s training sessions, Berruto responds with balance, emphasizing how intensity is a hallmark of the coach: “There’s a lot of literature on the subject: players who have vomited… Preparation is his mantra, it’s his way of raising physical and mental abilities. Sometimes coaches can make mistakes, but from the outside it’s hard to understand the reasons behind certain choices and decisions.”

A statement that puts the spotlight back on Conte’s vision as a demanding coach, obsessed with detail, but also capable of building a winning mentality through sacrifice.

“No crisis like after Spalletti: Napoli is still in the race”

Berruto is keen to point out, however, that the current situation should not be compared to the post-Spalletti period: “There’s no symmetry with the post-Spalletti era. Napoli is just two points off the top and the league is wide open. It would be a mistake to throw everything away. But Antonio won’t allow that.”

The former coach therefore urges not to dramatize, reminding everyone that Conte gives his best precisely in the most difficult moments, when the team needs a strong and charismatic leader.

“Conte is not diplomatic, but he’s a winner”

Finally, a personal judgment: “He’s not particularly diplomatic… You can imagine my feelings as a Torino fan when he played for Juve, but then I discovered an exceptional person. He’s a winner and he’ll prove it again. As always.”

Words that perfectly sum up the thoughts of someone who knows Antonio Conte’s philosophy up close: hard work, intensity, and total dedication to victory.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.