Former Tottenham Hotspur player Alan Hutton has claimed that Antonio Conte will remain at the club beyond this season, despite the Italian manager’s future remaining uncertain due to the lack of progress in contract talks.
While various reports have suggested that this will be Conte’s last season at the London club, with him being linked with a return to Italy to manage Juventus, Hutton has said that he believes there may be more to the situation than meets the eye.
In an interview with Football Insider, Hutton stated that he believes Conte is unlikely to leave the club, despite the lack of progress in contract talks. Hutton suggested that the reports of Conte’s departure are simply a negotiation tactic to secure more funding for the team’s rebuilding efforts.
He said:
“I do not think he will leave if I am totally honest. It is all kind of smoke and mirrors, is he trying to get more money out of Daniel Levy? I do not really know. Something tells me that Conte likes all of this and I just can’t see him leaving in the summer. I think he is looking to rebuild and he is just looking for money to do that.”
Hutton’s comments suggest that Conte’s apparent uncertainty about his future at the club may be a negotiating tactic to secure more financial support from Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy for rebuilding the squad.
Hutton also commented on the possibility of Brighton boss De Zerbi replacing Conte if he does leave, noting that the Seagulls have seen impressive progress under the Italian coach in a short period of time. However, he acknowledged that hiring someone like De Zerbi would be a risk for Tottenham, and that Brighton may have done their due diligence in making the appointment.
Regarding the De Zerbi links, Hutton said:
“De Zerbi has certainly hit the ground running, he has got a tune out of the team. He is that kind of emotional character that you see on the side of the pitch and he is playing good football. I understand why Tottenham fans are looking at him and saying why did we not go for somebody like that? It is obviously a big risk. It has worked out for Brighton, they have done their homework on him.”
Hutton’s comments suggest that while De Zerbi has been successful with Brighton, he may be a risky choice for Tottenham, given the expectations and pressures of managing a top Premier League club.
So, what does the future hold for Conte and Tottenham? While it’s difficult to say for sure, there are a few factors that may influence the outcome. First and foremost, the success of the team on the field will play a significant role in determining whether or not Conte stays. If he is able to lead the team to a top-four finish or a trophy, it will be much more difficult for the club to justify letting him go.
Another factor to consider is the financial situation at Tottenham. If the club is able to secure more funding for player acquisitions and other improvements, as Hutton suggests, it may be more appealing for Conte to stay and continue his rebuilding efforts.
