Antonio Conte has answered the story that has dominated Manchester United's week, and his answer is a careful one. He is not, he says, in advanced negotiations with anybody. He also does not say he is uninterested, which tells you most of what you need to know.
The reply came on Instagram after the Italian newspaper La Repubblica claimed on Thursday that Conte had held talks with United's board about replacing Michael Carrick. That report followed the 4-1 defeat against Como in the Champions League on Wednesday. It added that Conte had asked for full control of United's transfer policy and wanted to bring in his own staff.
What Conte actually said
"My name has been linked with numerous clubs, but there are currently no negotiations at an advanced stage," Conte wrote. He went on to say he had read the reports about financial demands, requests for full control and doubts over his "strong personality", and called them unfounded. If a concrete opportunity came up, he added, that would be the moment to discuss terms with the club involved.
Read closely, that is a denial of the detail rather than of the interest. BBC Sport understands Conte is keen on the job. The 57-year-old has been a free agent since leaving Napoli at the end of last season, having won Serie A in his first year there and the Supercoppa Italiana in his last.
United's search is already moving
Carrick is still due to be in charge for Sunday's Premier League game against Bournemouth. Even so, sources have told BBC Sport that United have begun the process of identifying replacements. Former Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, Conte and ex-Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann are all understood to be interested in the post.
Conte's record in England explains why his name keeps coming up. He won the Premier League with Chelsea in 2016-17, his first season at Stamford Bridge, and beat United in the FA Cup final the year after. His return to the league came in 2021 at Tottenham, where he replaced Jose Mourinho. That spell lasted 16 months. He left in March 2023 after a remarkable news conference in which he criticised selfish players and the club's culture.
Hurzeler says he is staying put
One name on the speculation list has also stepped back. Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler, whose side are third in the Premier League, has been touted as a possible successor to Carrick. He has a contract with the Seagulls until 2029 and says he is happy there. "I am really focused on my job here. I have no time to think about these rumours because we play every three days," he said.
Hurzeler also had kind words for the man he might replace. "I have a lot of respect for Michael Carrick. He is a great human being, he is a great personality," he said. For now the picture at Old Trafford is simple enough: Carrick stays through Sunday, the search goes on in the background, and nobody involved is saying anything that closes a door.
Manager news context: Conte is 57, left Napoli at the end of last season and is without a club. United lost 4-1 to Como in the Champions League on Wednesday and host Bournemouth on Sunday. Hurzeler's Brighton are third in the Premier League and he is under contract until 2029. Sources: BBC Sport, La Repubblica as quoted by BBC Sport.
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