Former Roma chief Gianluca Petrachi has revealed how close he came to hiring Antonio Conte.

Conte now has Tottenham on track for a top four finish in England.

Petrachi recalled: "There are moments where details make the difference.

“We could've done something more in that moment and we didn't. A player, a coach, a director, they are all based on empathy and action supporting words makes a difference.

“At that moment, there were plenty of words, but not so much substantial action."

Of his own situation, Petrachi also said: “I left Roma prematurely, actually I was robbed of this club. Everyone knows I was fired for just cause, which was never proven, in fact the judge ruled against it.

“I was starting to really get to know the city and I have fond memories of he place, despite my painful departure.

“It was a revolutionary summer in the transfer market, we sold 15 players and signed just as many. Time will tell if I was right to sign Leonardo Spinazzola, Pau Lopez, Henrikh Mkhitaryan or Gonzalo Villar.

“Just look at the defence, it is totally made up of player I signed. I brought in Gianluca Mancini, Chris Smalling and Roger Ibanez, while Jordan Veretout was one of the best midfielders in Serie A this season."