Tottenham players are furious at Antonio Conte’s brutal attack on them and many would “welcome him going” immediately according to the latest report from The Guardian.
The report claims that according to its sources inside the Tottenham dressing room, the players believe that the Italian’s departure is imminent with suggestions that he is “going or gone”.
The Italian seems to have lost the dressing room with Express’ Ryan Taylor suggesting that there is a “growing doubt” as to whether the players are “fully behind” the Italian or not.
Conte is very likely to be leaving at the end of the season with his contract expiring and there being no indications that he will sign a new contract.
And after his brutal rant post Southampton draw, it is pretty much impossible that he will stay. After the Saints came back from 3-1 to draw 3-3 in a thrilling game, Conte came out and surprised everyone with an incredible attack on the players labelling them “selfish” and “a team of individuals”. He also targeted the Tottenham ownership suggesting that they are unambitious.
He said:
“The problem is we have shown we are not a team.”
“We are 11 players. I see selfish players. I see players that don’t want to help each other, don’t play with heart.”
He then targeted Spurs chairman Daniel Levy. He said:
“It is the same every season, no matter who the manager is.”
“They’re used to it here. Don’t play for something important. They don’t want to play under pressure. They don’t want to play under stress.
“Tottenham’s story is this. 20 years there is the owner and they never won something. Why?”
“Until now I tried to hide the situation. We can fight for what in this period, with this attitude, this commitment? For what? 7th? 8th place?”
Tottenham were reportedly already looking for Conte’s replacement not expecting him stay beyond this season. And with him potentially losing the dressing room with this rant, he is pretty much gone for sure.
It is now about who replaces him with the likes of Mauricio Pochettino, Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi, former Barcelona manager Luis Enrique, and Thomas Tuchel all linked with the job. However, Pochettino is being deemed the favourite to return to the club.
