Tottenham Hotspur boss Antonio Conte has insisted that he will never close the door on a return to Italy in a managerial capacity.
The former Inter Milan boss - who won the 2020-21 Scudetto with the Nerazzurri during his time at San Siro - returned to his old stomping ground for the first leg of Spurs' Champions League last-16 tie with AC Milan on Tuesday.
However, it was not a pleasant return to his homeland for Conte, whose side fell to a 1-0 defeat to the reigning Italian champions courtesy of a seventh-minute winner from Brahim Diaz.
Three weeks will pass before Tottenham and Milan renew hostilities in North London on March 8, which could prove to be Conte's final European game in charge of the Lilywhites amid his uncertain contract situation.
The 53-year-old's current deal expires in the summer, and it remains unclear whether he can be convinced to pen an extension as Spurs struggle to end their 15-year trophy drought.
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Speaking to the press after Tuesday's game, Conte did not deny that he would welcome a return to Italy - a nation which belongs in his heart - and also waxed lyrical about the "beautiful" San Siro atmosphere.
"Playing here in the San Siro as a player and manager is special, is unique. The San Siro is a historical stadium, it's a beautiful one, it is always packed with people, it is full, and I love the fact whether it is Milan or Inter, the stadium is always crowded," football.london quotes Conte as saying.
"It is very good for Milan and the stadium. I am pleased for both groups of fans. Today this beautiful setting was playing against us, the Milan supporters were singing all the time and it is evident they were the 12th man tonight, this will be helpful with us when we play the second leg.
"I prefer to live in the present, I don't want to think about the future but you perfectly know that as an Italian man and the former Italy manager, Italy is in my heart and Italy will always stay there. I will never exclude the possibility that I will be back here one day, who knows."
Conte was forced into a significant midfield reshuffle for the first leg at San Siro, where Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was suspended and Rodrigo Bentancur took his place on the sidelines after suffering a season-ending ACL injury in the weekend's defeat to Leicester City.
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With Yves Bissouma also recovering from ankle surgery, Pape Matar Sarr and Oliver Skipp formed a newfound partnership in the engine room, but Conte was left delighted after witnessing the two youngsters hold their own on the San Siro turf.
"About the two midfielders, I think that I'm really happy about the performance from Skippy and Pape Sarr. Honestly to play in this way in the Champions League and to play in the San Siro in this atmosphere, I think that normally it's tough for important players," Conte added.
"They played a really good game and I'm really happy. This type of performance make me more relaxed for the future because we have to consider that we could finish the season with only three midfielders, Pape Sarr, Skippy and Pierre Hojbjerg.
"To have this type of performance makes me more relaxed because I know that I can count on these two players 100% and I'm really happy for them. To have this type of performance from Skippy and Pape Sarr makes me happy because I have seen a lot of improvement in these players and it means we are working very well with them."
Spurs now prepare for back-to-back Premier League London derbies to end the month, hosting West Ham United on Sunday before Chelsea pay a visit to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 26.
Ben Knapton
