logo
logo
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel and Tottenham manager Antonio Conte argue with each other during the 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge. August 2022.

Watch: Tuchel and Conte both get sent off after very heated argument

Nathan Egerton •

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel and Tottenham manager Antonio Conte came face to face and had to be held apart during their Premier League match at Stamford Bridge.

Conte spent two years in charge of Chelsea between 2016 and 2018, helping them win a Premier League title and the FA Cup.

But he was dismissed at the end of the 2017-18 season and had two years at Inter Milan before returning to London with Tottenham in November 2021.

The Italian faced his former club three times in the second half of the 2021-22 season but Tuchel’s side came out on top on every occasion, beating Spurs in the Premier League and knocking them out of the League Cup.

Tuchel, who has won the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup at Chelsea, was still full of praise for Conte during his pre-match press conference ahead of the first game between the sides in 2022-23.

“I think that every team Antonio Conte trains is a title contender,” Tuchel said. “It’s always like this, in every country with every team.

“They strengthened their squad, they strengthened in their depth, and they have a very demanding coach with an incredible record in domestic titles.

“He will push them to the limit and any team with this kind of quality management, which pushes players to the limit, can over-perform and fight for the top four. And if you fight for the top four, you fight for everything.

“If you’re still in the race in March, you’re fighting for everything. It’s a long way to go and he will never admit it, but for me, an Antonio Conte team fights for everything.”

Chelsea took the lead through Kalidou Koulibaly’s brilliant volley but Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s leveller for Tottenham sparked a touchline row between Tuchel and Conte.

Tuchel felt that Rodrigo Bentancur had fouled Kai Havertz in the build-up and squared up to Conte, who performed his typically enthusiastic celebration. 

The situation soon de-escalated as both managers returned to their respective dugouts and the referee gave them both yellow cards. 

Reece James restored Chelsea’s lead and they looked set to take all three points but Harry Kane headed home an equaliser in injury-time.

After the full-time whistle, Tuchel and Conte shared a frosty handshake that quickly turned into another confrontation. Players from both sides had to intervene and Anthony Taylor brandished red cards for the managers.

Clash 1

Clash 2

More from Planet Football

Comparing Chelsea and Tottenham’s net spend since 2018-19

A forensic analysis of the Battle of the Bridge: ‘Most shameful game’

Antonio Conte Thomas Tuchel Videos Chelsea Tottenham Hotspur