Tottenham hired Antonio Conte on Tuesday as its third manager in seven months, handing a return to the Premier League for the title winner with Chelsea.

Former Chelsea and Inter Milan boss Conte replaces Nuno, who was sacked after 17 matches in charge, with last weekend’s 3-0 home defeat by Manchester United in the league his final game with Spurs.

Conte had been out of work since terminating his contract at Inter in May, shortly after he led them to their first Serie A title in 11 years last season.

“I am extremely happy to return to coaching, and to do so at a Premier League club that has the ambition to be a protagonist (in the title race) again,” Conte said in a statement.

“I can’t wait to start working to convey to the team and the fans the passion, mentality and determination that have always distinguished me, as a player and as a coach.”

Conte, had previously been in talks with Tottenham about becoming Jose Mourinho’s successor in June, but they could not reach an agreement.

Conte’s contract runs through the end of the 2022-23 season with an option to extend.

Conte is set to be in charge for the Europa Conference League match against Vitesse Arnhem on Thursday, with a Premier League trip to Everton following on Sunday.

The season started well for Nuno. His team won its first three Premier League games, helping him win August’s manager of the month.

However, Tottenham lost five of its next seven games. The losses to West Ham and Manchester United in the last two league matches have seen Tottenham go 2 hours, 16 minutes without having a shot on target.