Antonio Conte paid tribute to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and labelled his 22-year stint at the club as a "fantastic" story that may never be repeated again.
Arsenal on Friday confirmed that 68-year-old Wenger will step down from his managerial role at the end of the season, bringing down the curtain on his long stay at the north London side.
Conte, who has come up against Wenger several times during his two years managing Chelsea, praised the Frenchman's enduring tenure at Arsenal but also his commitment to attractive football that saw him lead Arsenal to three Premier League titles.
"I think we must pay a great tribute to Arsene Wenger for his career with Arsenal. To stay at a club for such a long time, 22 years at Arsenal, is great and is a fantastic story," Conte told reporters at Cobham on Friday.
"He won a lot for that club and for this he deserves a great tribute. I think Arsene is one of the managers who have had a great influence in football. In every moment, he tried to play good football, creative and offensive football.
"He deserves great respect, not only from Arsenal supporters but also from the whole world of football. He is one of the greatest managers, who has had a fantastic career with Arsenal and it will be very difficult to see another manager in the future stay at the same club for such a long time.
"Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger are two that have done it and are really good stories for football."
