Antonio Conte’s future: Inside the Tottenham camp after the Italian’s outburst at Southampton and what happens next | Soccer News

After the thunder and lightning of Antonio Conte’s outburst, during which he accused Tottenham gamers of being ‘egocentric’, the membership’s board are digging into the rubble and looking for a manner ahead primarily based on pragmatism fairly than emotion.

The employees and squad have been out for 2 days, a break which was pre-scheduled whatever the final result in opposition to Southampton. It was the right tonic to the fury unleashed by the pinnacle coach: permitting Conte to settle down, the hierarchy to calculate the following steps and giving the gamers a break from what has been an unlucky setting.

With Champions League soccer on the road and simply 10 video games to go, chairman Daniel Levy is attempting to work out the equation of whether or not sticking or twisting with the Italian is a larger assure of securing the highest 4.

Conte could have supplied the reply himself on Saturday: “Some folks assume we will battle for. Struggle for what with this spirit, this perspective, this dedication? What? For a seventh, eighth, tenth place?”

If that’s the head coach’s degree of perception in what this crew can now accomplish underneath him, are the gamers prepared to show him improper? Does Levy have the credibility he would really like?

Participant response

Even earlier than Conte’s strong dressing of the gamers, a number of of them had been in touch with Mauricio Pochettino to induce him to return to the membership. There was disillusionment with the shortage of on-pitch identification, progressive soccer and expertise improvement because the Argentine was sacked in November 2019.

Conte’s public rebuke was not properly acquired within the dressing room. Whereas the gamers settle for accountability for the performances, the overall feeling is that the pinnacle coach’s act on Saturday was a case of self-preservation. The crew are conscious – and have been since January – that Conte won’t keep at Tottenham when his contract expires this summer time.

As a participant’s agent mentioned Sky Sports activities Information: “Each time he speaks it is like he is doing the fellows and Spurs a favor by at all times being there. He is questioned their perspective and their dedication when it has been clear for a very long time that he does not does not even need to be on the membership.”

Conte steered the uncertainty round his future was used as an ‘alibi’ for the gamers’ lackluster performances.

One counter has been that probably the most financially backed head coach in Tottenham historical past has did not implement a progressive strategy that may be purchased off by the crew and supporters, whereas conceding probably the most high 12 objectives.

The membership have introduced in 10 signings this season alone for a mixed payment of over £150m. Has Conte completed his greatest to extract the products from this group, or is the message simply how a lot better he’s than them?

The response of the membership

The top coach having to make clear that his rant was aimed solely on the gamers and never the hierarchy was instructive. Conte, who was compensated by Chelsea after an extended authorized battle over his sacking, doesn’t need to be accused of discrediting Tottenham.

Though the membership accepted this place – the complete transcript helps Conte’s place that his solely goal was the squad – they’re unimpressed with the power, implications and timing of his tirade.

There are simpler methods to wake gamers up than to confuse them publicly, even with out contemplating Harry Kane’s contract state of affairs. One of many membership’s fundamental issues is the place they might have been this season with out the England captain – his affect and affect is larger than that of the pinnacle coach.

Spurs knew Conte wished out they usually have been very delicate to the tough months he went by means of on a private degree.

They’re additionally conscious of his behavior of scorching the dust on his manner out – however that normally comes after he is achieved the achievement.

Tottenham are paying Conte a wage of £15million a yr attributable to his successful standing – Spurs have regressed underneath him.

A fast go searching North London and the work Mikel Arteta has completed on and off the pitch speaks volumes. Conte might level to Tottenham’s cultural drawback, however he has no funding to handle it.

Was Conte proper?

Given the historical past of the ‘Lads is Tottenham’ line and the ‘Spursy’ idea, there might be no full dismissal of Conte’s factors.

However by insisting that his verbal volley was solely thrown within the path of the gamers, Conte’s rant lacks benefit. They don’t dictate recruitment coverage and haven’t been accountable for not promoting on the proper time for some huge cash, selling obsolescence. It isn’t the crew that appoints the pinnacle coaches or determines the path of the membership.

By absolving himself and the hierarchy of all blame for the present state of affairs, Conte’s phrases fall flat.

On this context, it’s price remembering that Spurs had a head coach who took them to the Champions League last regardless of accidents, stadium upheavals and 0 funding within the crew. Pochettino had them usually within the high 4, and within the last levels of home cups the place they misplaced primarily to wealthier Chelsea and Manchester United.

Tottenham had an identification and a course of that gamers and followers purchased into and have been happy with.

Who, or what, subsequent for Spurs?

As Sky Sports activities Information reported, Levy won’t be clouded by emotion in selecting Conte’s successor. Whereas the board keep they have not forgotten the explanations for Pochettino’s sacking, the Argentine can circle the shortage of refreshment he is been highlighting since 2016 as the reason for his finish.

Pochettino stays the undisputed common and unifying selection for the membership, however re-hiring him could be an almighty admission of wrongdoing from Levy.

Thomas Tuchel and Luis Enrique have been valued however the appointment of one other former Chelsea supervisor is just not seen favorably, and the latter’s expertise outdoors Spain illustrates the chance.

Roberto De Zerbi is extremely admired however needs to remain at Brighton for no less than one other season. Sporting’s Ruben Amorim, Celtic’s Ange Postecoglou and Napoli’s Luciano Spalletti have additionally been linked.

Tottenham have swung between a course of head coach like Pochettino and ‘licensed winners’ Mourinho and Conte, with their shortlist suggesting the membership are nonetheless not sure which option to go between these two moments.

One other complication is that director of soccer Fabio Paratici’s future is unsure. The person tasked with spotlighting Conte’s successor is interesting a 30-month ban from Italian soccer following an investigation into the accounting practices of his former membership Juventus.

If Paratici’s enchantment fails, a worldwide suspension might go into impact.

Tottenham are sweating over their head coach, star striker and director of soccer. Levy has extra points to take care of than Conte, however he’s probably the most speedy and there’s a rising feeling that the 53-year-old will not be within the job till his contract expires.