Tottenham star reveals how Conte changed culture - 'He made us feel like winners'
Tottenham defender Matt Doherty is enjoying life in north London under Antonio Conte, who is "one of the best managers there has been".
The 30-year-old met the Republic of Ireland this week hoping to play his part in Nations League ties against Scotland and Armenia to prove to the Italian that he is is on the knee injury which has limited him to just seven minutes of club action since April.
Is there a Pochettino-shaped carrot hanging out in front of Southampton right now?
Doherty had established himself as a regular in Conte's side at Tottenham last season before a ruptured medial collateral ligament ended his campaign, but he has already seen enough of the new head coach to be excited about what he brings to the club.
He said: "He changed the whole mentality of the whole club. He made us feel like winners. We know he obviously won a lot in the past and we kind of try to do that.
“We have meetings, we have discussions where after you feel motivated. him.
"Listen, he's one of the best managers around, so whatever he says, we listen to him."
Former Italy boss Conte, who counts Juventus, Chelsea and Inter Milan among his former employers, brings a passion and drive to the job that is evident on the sidelines, and Doherty admits he is a little different away from the limelight.
He said: "He's probably not as lively on the training ground, but he's still quite lively. He just has a lot of passion for what he does and that comes back to us in how we play and which we press.
"We love having him as a coach and are quite lucky to have him as the club's coach."
Doherty has landed in Dublin with just two brief substitute appearances to his name so far this season and Conte will hope his Irish counterpart Stephen Kenny can use him much more extensively.
The defender said: "That's exactly what he said, he wants me back and try to play two games. He said in his press conference that I will be fully available after the international break for the selection."
He added with a smile, "That's the plan - if Stephen obeys him."
Doherty's mission this week is not just to get valuable Tottenham minutes under his belt, but to help Ireland end a Nations League campaign that began with defeats against Armenia and Ukraine on a high after June's win over Scotland and a creditable draw in the comeback with the Ukrainians as they prepare for the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign. /p>
He said: "A lot of us are at that age where maybe there aren't many opportunities to get back into serious competition. Some of us have never been there, including myself.
"We're pretty focused. We have a goal we want to achieve. I think we're capable."
Tottenham defender Matt Doherty is enjoying life in north London under Antonio Conte, who is "one of the best managers there has been".
The 30-year-old met the Republic of Ireland this week hoping to play his part in Nations League ties against Scotland and Armenia to prove to the Italian that he is is on the knee injury which has limited him to just seven minutes of club action since April.
Is there a Pochettino-shaped carrot hanging out in front of Southampton right now?
Doherty had established himself as a regular in Conte's side at Tottenham last season before a ruptured medial collateral ligament ended his campaign, but he has already seen enough of the new head coach to be excited about what he brings to the club.
He said: "He changed the whole mentality of the whole club. He made us feel like winners. We know he obviously won a lot in the past and we kind of try to do that.
“We have meetings, we have discussions where after you feel motivated. him.
"Listen, he's one of the best managers around, so whatever he says, we listen to him."
Former Italy boss Conte, who counts Juventus, Chelsea and Inter Milan among his former employers, brings a passion and drive to the job that is evident on the sidelines, and Doherty admits he is a little different away from the limelight.
He said: "He's probably not as lively on the training ground, but he's still quite lively. He just has a lot of passion for what he does and that comes back to us in how we play and which we press.
"We love having him as a coach and are quite lucky to have him as the club's coach."
Doherty has landed in Dublin with just two brief substitute appearances to his name so far this season and Conte will hope his Irish counterpart Stephen Kenny can use him much more extensively.
The defender said: "That's exactly what he said, he wants me back and try to play two games. He said in his press conference that I will be fully available after the international break for the selection."
He added with a smile, "That's the plan - if Stephen obeys him."
Doherty's mission this week is not just to get valuable Tottenham minutes under his belt, but to help Ireland end a Nations League campaign that began with defeats against Armenia and Ukraine on a high after June's win over Scotland and a creditable draw in the comeback with the Ukrainians as they prepare for the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign. /p>
He said: "A lot of us are at that age where maybe there aren't many opportunities to get back into serious competition. Some of us have never been there, including myself.
"We're pretty focused. We have a goal we want to achieve. I think we're capable."
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