Elisabetta Conte — the new queen of north London

There’s a new BNOC (back) in town: charismatic (and ruthless) football manager Antonio Conte has signed on as manager of Tottenham Hotspur. It’s the Italian’s second coming in London - the 52-year old was formerly manager of Chelsea, leading them to a title win in in 2017. He’s also led Juventus and Inter Milan to the top.

Needless to say, the appointment of a champion has gone down well at Spurs (they’re otherwise in short supply at the north London club). But what do his entourage reckon? Conte’s WAG Elisabetta, 45, has been by her husband’s side for most of his football careers as both a player and a manager. They married in 2013 in Turin after 15 years together, and have a one daughter, Vittoria, born in 2007. “I have a great woman by my side, one who always tries to understand me,” Conte gushes. Certainly, she’s moved by the beautiful game: Elisabetta - who is a mainstay at matches - was seen welling up at one of Chelsea’s 2017 games when the crowds in blue chanted her husband’s name before kick-off. He calls Vittoria the “other woman in my life”. “She is beginning to understand that her dad gets nervous when he does not win”. She’ll presumably be feeling apprehensive at the thought of her dad taking on a ramshackle Spurs side.

What will their London life look like? The family remained in Italy for the majority of Conte’s time at Chelsea, moving to the UK for his last season at the club in 2018. That time, the family lived in Chelsea Harbour in order to be near to the club’s Stamford Bridge stadium and Cobham training ground. This time, they might migrate northeast, to be nearer to Spurs’ Enfield training ground and their vast stadium in N17. The good news is it’ll make it easier for the family to make friends with the team: Spurs’ frotman Harry Kane is based nearby in a £17m mansion in Chingford, while defender Eric Dier lives in upmarket St John’s Wood. Perhaps the Contes will settle in millionaire’s favourite Hadley Wood (average house prices: a mere £1.5 million).

For nights out, the family were fans of pizza restaurant Santa Maria in Fulham during their first time around - especially the tiramisu, said then-manager Claudio Bruno. “I said it was homemade and he begged me for the recipe. We reminded him of his home.” This time willl it be all about Salt Bae? The blingy Knightsbridge steak joint is a footballers’ favourite: strikers Romelu Lukaku and Pierre-Emerick Aubamayang have visited, and Lionel Messi and Paul Pogba have posed for selfies with its viral head chef, Nusret Gokce.

Though that might not be the Conte clan’s style: Elisabetta is a a shy WAG, who doesn’t use social media and rarely makes an appearance even on her husband’s (active) Instagram account. Perhaps rubbing shoulders with fellow Tottenham wife Kate Kane will encourage her into the spotlight – but for now, fans will just have to hope, wait, and maybe book a table at a Tottenham pizzeria.

Potential pals: who could Elisabetta hang out with in London

Lorena Bernal, married to Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta

Their husbands may be arch rivals, but geography could trump competition for Lorena and Elisabetta. Lorena, a former Miss World finalist and Argentinian television host, has now swapped her Spain home for London living, along with their three children.

Pamela Moyes, married to West Ham’s David Moyes

Another one to add to the list of famous footballers who married their childhood sweethearts, Pamela Moyes has been there from David’s Celtic beginnings. Whilst the family still reside in Lancashire, they are in London for football season, with fans spotting Moyes wandering the Hackney Marshes and watching a game of Sunday league football.

Sissi Tuchel, married to Chelsea’s Thomas Tuchel

Sissi Tuchel shares Elisabetta’s love of staying out of the spotlight. Avoiding social media and press coverage, the Chelsea coach’s wife has even admitted she doesn’t fully understand the game – yet still has a ‘big say’ on her husband’s career moves. A powerful woman to befriend, we say.

Dr. Rosanna Ranieri, married to Watford’s Claudio Ranieri

Dr. Rosanna has it all – beauty, brains, an antique dealership - and a shared home country with the Contes. The nephrologist recently made UK headlines after accidentally appearing in a Sky Sports Zoom interview much to the amusement of presenter Kelly Cates and guest Gary Neville.