Ashley Young critiques Antonio Conte’s intense training methods at Inter

Former footballer Ashley Young has shared insights into the intense training and management methods of Antonio Conte during their time together at Inter Milan. Speaking on the ‘High Performance Podcast’, Young described Conte’s approach as a ‘madness’ that, while physically demanding, contributed to his professional longevity, allowing him to play until age 40.

However, Young also highlighted significant drawbacks to Conte’s methodology. He noted that post-match video analysis sessions could last up to three and a half hours, often leading to players losing focus or even falling asleep. Young suggested that the extreme pressure and intensity could lead to increased injuries, high staff stress, and strained personal lives, which he believes may explain why Conte rarely remains at a club for more than two years.

Additionally, Young described Conte’s tendency to use psychological tests to gauge player reactions, sometimes creating friction with experienced players who challenged his methods and were subsequently sidelined.