Antonio Conte and Thomas Tuchel ‘will be disciplined’ as ’round two’ Tottenam-Chelsea bust-up analysed – pundit
Alex McLeish has defended Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte after their confrontation during Sunday’s (14 August) clash between Chelsea and Tottenham.
That’s according to former Aston Villa and Scotland boss Alex McLeish, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about Sunday’s scenes.
Conte and Tuchel clashed on several occasions during a tense 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge on Sunday (14 August).
The managers squared up to each other for the first time after Tottenham drew level at 1-1.
At the end of the game, Conte and Tuchel shook hands but it appears Tuchel would not let go as another scuffle broke out between the benches.
McLeish loved what he saw from both managers.
“I don’t know what the commentators are talking about, this is absolutely terrific headline news for everybody,” McLeish told Football Insider’s Ben Wild.
“It’s emotional, it’s professional football at the very highest level. You see it in American football, the coaches on the touchline going crazy.
“I loved it. I’m not condoning it and saying we should be fighting every week and go up in each other’s faces. There was then a little dance routine that played out over social media which was quite amusing.
“It’s two emotional guys. The pressure in this league is massive and you are trying to do your best for the fans.
“If your players play well then the fans will be happy and that is what every manager’s role ultimately is. If you make the fans happy, by winning not fighting, they will love that.
“They have been sanctioned, they will be disciplined.
“Sometimes it just triggers and you can’t hold back, I’ve been there.”
In other news, Conte backed to agree deal after Tottenham source’s £20m update.