Home » Suddenly Talks With Tottenham Are Described As ‘Advanced’ But Ought We Truly Celebrate?

Suddenly Talks With Tottenham Are Described As ‘Advanced’ But Ought We Truly Celebrate?

By The Boy -

So here go again. Elite coaches and elite players are where the action is, where – essentially – all the credibility is. Anything else is bupkis. Nothing in football is so complicated that you and I cannot understand it.

Sky Sports Italia says that Tottenham are in advanced talks with Antonio Conte. That this is the man to replace the void left after José Mourinho was binned.

Let me be clear, I welcome anyone with half a CV, but frankly, I take a view that this all academic unless Daniel Levy decides to trust a coach.

Conte plus maybe this Director Of Football guy Fabio, are appointments that do not vaguely thrill me. Why ought they? Based upon the experience of EVERY other manager at Tottenham, they will have a negligible role in the acquisition of players.

Remember, Pochettino warned of a ‘painful rebuild’ – so if Antonio were appointed – where is the money for that ‘project’?

My heart is heavy, bruised but not beaten. This next chapter needs at least to be more entertaining than the last 3 years.

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EssexTony
EssexTony
2 years ago
Reply to  East Stand

And that is the ultimate truth. Nothing we can do or say will make any difference to him.

EssexTony
EssexTony
2 years ago
Reply to  England Mike

Well, if you’ve got £4 billion lying around then I am fully behind you otherwise there is literally nothing we can do other than throw away all season tickets, not renew, not attend the game, or buy merchandise, except we know none of that will happen.

We can express our views all we like but nothing is going to change until our clown of a chairman changes his modus operandi which also will not happen.

East Stand
East Stand
2 years ago

You are pursuing (not trolling then?) me about the same subject, one I am requested to steer clear of. Are you all there?

East Stand
East Stand
2 years ago

I like possession football, generally speaking yes. We have yet to see how we play under Conte and how much of the ball we have. He isn’t even the manager yet…

The main point is if his methods are effective, why would anyone not want an effective manager, regardless of the style of play?

East Stand
East Stand
2 years ago
Reply to  EssexTony

It usually is little more than window dressing with Levy, any of it…

Steve 'Killer Cushion' Williams
Steve 'Killer Cushion' Williams
2 years ago
Reply to  Suffolk Spur

There’s free speech, and then there is waffling the same nonsense for months and years like a stuck record

Steve 'Killer Cushion' Williams
Steve 'Killer Cushion' Williams
2 years ago
Reply to  East Stand

You weren’t being trolled it was an obvious question… You hate the low block. You’re main reason for hating Maureen was his style of play.. Yet Conte plays the same way… You were crying to be entertained with high press and possession based the apparent ‘Spurs way’…. So it’s not the style of play really? Its your feelings about the persons? Nonsensical.

Steve 'Killer Cushion' Williams
Steve 'Killer Cushion' Williams
2 years ago
Reply to  East Stand

Conte plays with a low block and counter yes. Same as Maureen.. Most Italian coaches are defensive minded but they don’t all play on the counter, many are possession based. Our players would have one third of the ball regardless of manager and tactics… Only the idiots have been banging on about Botch the last week (Alasdair Gold), you’ve been banging on about him years.. It was obvious he wouldn’t leave PSG. And I fully expect him to win ligue 1. Psg had won their league 7 out of 8 previously. Its a one horse league.. Mbappe Neymar and they lost to Lille. You couldn’t name more than one player from Lille before last week.. I am no troll.. And I like Botch.. Ideally I would have Conte as manager, his matey director also in, and Botchy as a coach.. Great coach but his manager skills has left much to be desired.

Steve 'Killer Cushion' Williams
Steve 'Killer Cushion' Williams
2 years ago
Reply to  East Stand

Conte humble? … Remember Chelsea smashing Manure 5 nil and Conte celebrating as if he won the world cup? Maureen told him to calm down and show some humility.

England Mike
England Mike
2 years ago

It is obvious that Conte would want Kane, something I have pointed out previously.

England Mike
England Mike
2 years ago
Reply to  EssexTony

Without doubt, but some form of constructive ideas on top of the moan helps ….maybe !

EssexTony
EssexTony
2 years ago
Reply to  East Stand

I agree. However, in order to recognise dysfunction there needs to be acknowledgement of the issue and Levy will never blame himself or his actions for the situation that we are in football-wise.

As for Conte, he’s of the calibre we need, but if Levy is going to continue to do what he has done and not invest in the right players of the quality we need then it’s all window dressing.

England Mike
England Mike
2 years ago
Reply to  The Boy

I have not listened to Redknapp junior or his opinions on anything tbh.

EssexTony
EssexTony
2 years ago

Yup!!

John
John
2 years ago

I didn’t suggest Eriksen, I was trying to diplomatically shoot down someone else’s suggestion.

John
John
2 years ago
Reply to  John

I wasn’t trying to get anyone specially booked more a general opinion.

Is Gascoigne gonna have a crack?
Is Gascoigne gonna have a crack?
2 years ago

Wow. People seem to approve of medical tyranny and bullying?! Good to know.

James McKevitt.
James McKevitt.
2 years ago
Reply to  Sandro

Maybe Levy is more on the back foot but I want proof in the summer on the transfer front.

James McKevitt.
James McKevitt.
2 years ago

Somebody has said that the Mourinho appointment was kept secret and Levy is very secretive but this is taking place in public with Conte on holiday.

I hope this isn’t leading us up the garden path. Conte supposedly demanding Kane must stay before he takes the job.

Sandro
Sandro
2 years ago

I think Jose was in a slightly different position in that he had been out of work for a while and his reputation a little tainted. Conte’s stock is at an all time high right now – he will be able to call the shots a bit more IMHO.

James McKevitt.
James McKevitt.
2 years ago
Reply to  Sandro

This is exactly what was said when Mourinho took the job, it’s wishful thinking by fans, I’ll believe Levy when I see multiple quality players in the summer and the dead beats removed.

James McKevitt.
James McKevitt.
2 years ago
Reply to  Paddio

I think it’s compulsive behaviour he can’t help himself.

Sandro
Sandro
2 years ago

On that basis we may as well give the job to Ryan Mason and save a ton in wages.

FWIW I can’t see a top manager like Conte coming to Tottenham unless he has certain assurances precisely because of his recent experience at Inter and because of Levy’s reputation. A ‘lesser’ manager might just be thankful of a high profile job and take it without such assurances.

Paddio
Paddio
2 years ago

If levy could just stop the interference in the football side and treat the football playing side as a subsidiary of the bigger club which he is chairman of, it could make a huge difference.
Funds for players have been the same, sell to spend, its the way it’s been and they way it’s likley to be.
A bigger impact would be is to move on players when the manager wants, like the 7 Pochettino wanted gone after the Champions league final or mourinho wanted last summer.
If a coach is aware of that, I think they’re okay with that.

Richard David Bernard Taylor
Richard David Bernard Taylor
2 years ago
Reply to  East Stand

Yeah, one flat track bully and his six useless accomplices!

Richard David Bernard Taylor
Richard David Bernard Taylor
2 years ago

That’s an interesting insight, DD.

Richard David Bernard Taylor
Richard David Bernard Taylor
2 years ago
Reply to  Surespur

Yes, the point I have just made a few minutes ago, if not so colourfully! (sh*tshow, it undoubtedly is)

Richard David Bernard Taylor
Richard David Bernard Taylor
2 years ago
Reply to  Sandro

We can’t do the Klopp approach, however, because we spent all our money on a stadium, don’t you know?

Richard David Bernard Taylor
Richard David Bernard Taylor
2 years ago
Reply to  EssexTony

I think we all are in relation to Levy.

Richard David Bernard Taylor
Richard David Bernard Taylor
2 years ago

Unless, of course, he has seen the errors of his ways. Unlikely.

Richard David Bernard Taylor
Richard David Bernard Taylor
2 years ago

I’m sorry your heart is heavy, Harry. But, alas, you’re correct that nothing changes until Levy trusts a manager and lets him get on with things without interference from him; on team matters, his input should simply be a yes or no as to whether we can afford a player, which, alas, if he’s any good, we probably can’t ! Personally, like others, I think this planned return of a DOF is just an attempt by Levy to deflect blame from where it really lies…..with him!

While Conte is, on the face of it, an exciting choice, I’m afraid I don’t really see how it can work (or with any other manager) under the bald one; hasn’t Conte left Inter Milan because he isn’t getting the necessary funds, so it seems less than entirely logical that he’s going to be happy with our parsimonious CEO.

EssexTony
EssexTony
2 years ago
Reply to  John

We all know what the solution is, the issue is that the problem doesn’t see that he’s the problem.

makatiandy
makatiandy
2 years ago
Reply to  East Stand

That’s your job Easty.

makatiandy
makatiandy
2 years ago
Reply to  Spurs est_1882

I actually that the pennies tell Levy he needs CL football. The penny has dropped so to speak.

Is Gascoigne gonna have a crack?
Is Gascoigne gonna have a crack?
2 years ago

And guarenteed when they don’t go ahead with “freedom day” it’ll be the unvaxed who will be to blame.

Is Gascoigne gonna have a crack?
Is Gascoigne gonna have a crack?
2 years ago

Off topic, the ramping up of medical apartheid is full on. I saw morning tv actually had a section on “should we ditch unvaxed friends?” and other utter shash in papers. Its lucky Levys demolished WHL cos it looks like I’ll never get in even if I wanted too. Dispicable, evil stuff.
And it doesn’t even stop transmission according to the government. Absolute twonks.

Is Gascoigne gonna have a crack?
Is Gascoigne gonna have a crack?
2 years ago

So last week sky were telling everyone Poch was in advanced talks with ENIC….this week they’re telling us Contes in advanced talks with ENIC??….you got Jim White shilling for Levy….”oooooo, wow?! What a statement!?” I’m sure he said that about Jose….

What’s the point? Conte will go the same way as the rest even if he does come, he’ll be fed up in 8 to 12 months and Levy will have to pay off another big contract, and if he does back him, why the @##@ didn’t he back Jose, Poch or Redknapp??

Ridiculous nonsense farce.

John
John
2 years ago
Reply to  Mike J

I am keen for Conte, although I’d suspect it would be more Mourinho than Poch.

John
John
2 years ago
Reply to  The Boy

Sin binning for persistent negativity would be good, I am truly grateful for this platform so I have the opportunity to vent but I do prefer a suggested solution with a moan. Although this probably would not be a Tottenham blog if that was the case 😂.

Mike J
Mike J
2 years ago

I’d be happy to have Conte. a proven (recent) winner, attacking football (and lots of chances). It kind of combines the best of Poch and Mourinho. True… Conte will probably fall-out with Levy by year 2.. and success is not certain unless Levy gives rope to others in transfer dealings. But… I’m cautiously optimistic if we get Conte.

James McKevitt.
James McKevitt.
2 years ago
Reply to  John

We need hungry players, no to Eriksen.
And Conte had real problems fitting Eriksen into his 352, so double no.

Last edited 2 years ago by James McKevitt.
James McKevitt.
James McKevitt.
2 years ago
Reply to  Paddio

No, he’s on more money at Inter and when Conte went to Chelsea he didn’t take any players from Italy with him, so forget about Skriniar and Lukaku.

East Stand
East Stand
2 years ago
Reply to  The Boy

HH. “You are awful, but I like you”

One for the teenagers…

John
John
2 years ago
Reply to  Paddio

I like Eriksen but he doesn’t fix our problems.

England Mike
England Mike
2 years ago
Reply to  The Boy

Yet you have continually spread drivel about Gareth Bale, with no concrete evidence to prove his guilt of anything other than wanting to play when fit to do so. He may not have reached the heights some on here expected, but he still managed to contribute to the season, despite his undeniable fitness issues and dealing with a manager with personal problems.

East Stand
East Stand
2 years ago
Reply to  EssexTony

I have always said that Levy is the reason why it didn’t work or go the full term with Jose. The problem is that ENIC/Levy are fully ensconced at Spurs so as fans our only hope is something that can work as best as possible within that dysfunctional environment. That wasn’t Jose, it wasn’t Poch (trophy wise) and I’m doubtful it will be Conte either. Conte has something about him that seems to be part of the current footballing zeitgeist though, will that be enough? Probably not…

Paddio
Paddio
2 years ago

Maybe Eriksen will though?

East Stand
East Stand
2 years ago
Reply to  East Stand

Came

East Stand
East Stand
2 years ago
Reply to  The Boy

Jose is one of the greatest managers in history, his list of honours is indisputable and I have never denied that. I just didn’t feel he was right for Spurs at the particular juncture at which he was appointed (for several reasons). Despite the manner in which my posts may have been perceived, I only care about the club and what’s good for it. Which is why I’m not a Levy apologist, I also for that reason cake to the conclusion that Jose and Levy was unlikely to work. The club comes first…

James McKevitt.
James McKevitt.
2 years ago
Reply to  John

Agree, anybody thinking Conte will convince Kane to stay is missing the point, this only works if Kane goes and Conte gets the funds to spend.

EssexTony
EssexTony
2 years ago
Reply to  East Stand

When he’s won as much as much as he has, Mourinho can call himself whatever he wants as he’s backed it up. It’s typically Spursy that we’re the only club since he starting his winning spree at Porto that have failed to win anything under his tenure. I wonder why🤔🤔🤔🤔

John
John
2 years ago

👍🏻

EssexTony
EssexTony
2 years ago
Reply to  Spurs est_1882

You’re familiar with the concept of hell freezing over, I trust??

John
John
2 years ago
Reply to  daytripper

Skipp an attacking midfielder?

John
John
2 years ago
Reply to  Suffolk Spur

🤣

John
John
2 years ago
Reply to  John

Although Conte not know for his patience

EssexTony
EssexTony
2 years ago
Reply to  Suffolk Spur

This is H’s blog and he can choose who he wants on it. You know what to do if you don’t like it.

John
John
2 years ago
Reply to  StuSpur

😉

John
John
2 years ago
Reply to  CowSpurs

352 and the Kane money.

John
John
2 years ago
Reply to  daytripper

I assume you meant Luiz and he could probably be bought fairly cheap considering City’s buy back clause and could be included in a deal for one of our own.

CowSpurs
CowSpurs
2 years ago

What is the difference between the Jose appointment and this? The Club needs a root and branch strategy of change when it comes to football. If this is the start I will applaud it, but the cynic in me tells me not to hold my breath.

Suffolk Spur
Suffolk Spur
2 years ago
Reply to  The Boy

Blimey, so much for free speech. Thought this was a blog. So generous of you to let him have one more attempt to agree with you.

StuSpur
StuSpur
2 years ago
Reply to  John

Better make that 4 windows then!

John
John
2 years ago

I agree, I just hope he quickly realises we don’t currently have the players to implement his style( not just the dead wood).

John
John
2 years ago
Reply to  StuSpur

Yeah Mourinho but with 352 😂

John
John
2 years ago
Reply to  StuSpur

It would be an even bigger overhaul as we do not have the type of midfielders and attackers his system uses, on top of the defensive players we already desperately need.

Spurs est_1882
Spurs est_1882
2 years ago

I am wondering when Levy/Lewis will realise that a winning team is worth more in sponsorship, stadium naming rights and sell on value…? All nice to have a big stadium….but we need to be winning and in the CL. i am hoping this is the season and Levy has found some money (which i doubt).

StuSpur
StuSpur
2 years ago
Reply to  Paul

It would be great if that happened but my fear is that they simply aren’t up to the grade required

James McKevitt.
James McKevitt.
2 years ago

One thing about being a Spurs fan it’s never boring. My heads spinning with all these comings and goings.

James McKevitt.
James McKevitt.
2 years ago

Nice piece David, a force of nature Conte by the sound of it.

Finn
Finn
2 years ago

……. are there actually images of him with his mouth closed? Down here (Oz) he’d soon fill up with flies with that gaping gob!

If he comes on board, I will not be particularly excited and he’ll have to earn any warmth from me. But as I’ve said before, the real job is not managing a squad/team, its managing Levy.

East Stand
East Stand
2 years ago
Reply to  The Boy

Ive been referred to as Poch’s ‘lover’ many times which is obviously ridiculous. Therefore there would be no reason that I would suggest that you or anyone else was Jose’s. He certainly divides opinion but as you say, his record speaks for itself. I have never disputed that.

Sandro
Sandro
2 years ago

Agree with your point HH, we will only improve if Levy & Co allow the manager to have more than a negligible role in the acquisition of players. If you believe what was said in the Amazon doc, the manager provides a profile of the player he wants and Hitchen comes back with a list of those who fit the profile that he thinks he can get. I much prefer the “I want VVD” route that Klopp took at Liverpool, and he was prepared to wait to get his man.

A genuine question that I have struggled with is what happens when the manager says I want player A, but for whatever reason he is not available / willing to come to Spurs and the manager doesn’t like any of the alternatives offered up? This, according to some ITK I have seen is what happened with Poch.

East Stand
East Stand
2 years ago
Reply to  The Boy

Poch is gone, Jose has also gone. I was asked a question about why I rate Conte and I responded. Was being trolled and poked for a reaction to ‘why’ I like Conte v Jose. Let’s see how he does in Levy Land. It will probably all end in tears as it has done for the last 22 years anyway…

East Stand
East Stand
2 years ago

Humble, that’s what I like about him. Takes no prisoners but I doubt he’d ever call himself ‘special’…

East Stand
East Stand
2 years ago
Reply to  Surespur

Good salary?

Lord Croker
Lord Croker
2 years ago
Reply to  StuSpur

‘deadwood/clique’

Mason’s mates, the ones who contributed to the demise of Maureen.

Lord Croker
Lord Croker
2 years ago

‘The definition of insanity is continuing to do the same thing over and over, and then expecting different results,’ Einstein famously proclaimed.

This applies to Levy who like politicians seem to be accountable to no-one but themselves.

Surespur
Surespur
2 years ago

Is it true that he left Inter, as the club has implemented a strategy of selling some big ticket players; promoting youth; and knocking 20% of their wage bill? If so, why the fluck would he want to sign up to our sh*tshow?

Paul
Paul
2 years ago
Reply to  StuSpur

Maybe he will come management what he was and make winners out of them. A manager that player possesion base football is a first step. Not mu first choice, but like Jose, he gets my vote till Christmas all bets off.

makatiandy
makatiandy
2 years ago
Reply to  SpursTID

Does Levy either understand what he says about football or even read it?

makatiandy
makatiandy
2 years ago
Reply to  Andrew

Not sure all the squad are shirkers, I think most realise how Levy operates and they eventually lose interest. It took Eriksen over half a year to get his career back on track. Even Foyth has come good.

makatiandy
makatiandy
2 years ago

Except Levy is definite for regular CL football. He will spend to achieve that, that is his metric of success.

StuSpur
StuSpur
2 years ago

If Conte comes in it will be imperative that the deadwood/clique that undermined Jose need to be shifted. No ifs, buts or maybes. Get them out!

Conte has a reputation for ruffling feathers and we have too many candy bar pansies on the books. Conte will demand that his players are men, not boys. Men who will graft and fight for every ball and leave everything on the pitch.
He will come in with his own ethos and everyone will need to jump on board with it.

It’s going to take a minimum of 2 windows before we start to see a new squad that reflects what out squad will ultimately be. Unfortunately we will need to be patient (again) and give the club time to sell on the trash and slowly bring in CONTES choices.

These past few weeks have been horrible for the club but if they’ve served any benefit is that everyone has clarity now. For the first time I’m seeing spurs fans all agree on the big problems. Levy has hidden behind his fanboys over the years but now he really has nowhere to go.
Here’s to hoping that he does the right thing.

David Dillenberg
David Dillenberg
2 years ago

Ivano Della Morte, Juve’s youth team coach when Conte was manager
Conte’s like a tsunami, he drags everybody with him’

“I had a very good relationship with Antonio, he was very friendly and always available for a chat or to listen to any suggestions.
“I was lucky because the training camp of the first team was close to where I trained the youth team. Watching him training is one of the best experiences I’ve had in my life.
“It was obvious he would become one of the best in the world, not only because of his ideas but because he was able to let his players understand that if they followed him, they win.
“When he arrived at Juventus the team had finished seventh two seasons in a row, but from the first day he said: ‘I am here to win and we will win.’
“That would be crazy for anyone else, but it’s normal for Antonio. He’s very convinced about his work. He’s like a tsunami, he drags the club, staff, team, players, everybody with him.
“I remember once a defeat he showed us (other Juve coaches) the errors made by the players. The match was played one week before but he still was angry. He was saying: ‘It’s not possible, it’s unbelievable.’
“I think that this way of considering each defeat like a death is his secret.
“I am not surprised he won the title, maybe he did it quicker than expected, but I consider him the best trainer in the world, nobody is like him.
“And by the way he’s the most humble person I’ve ever known in my life”.

By Sergio Stanco [19/05/17]

Finn
Finn
2 years ago

That’s Levy…….. always up for a two-for-one deal!

Baleficent
Baleficent
2 years ago

Left a club because they are selling their best players to one that has a history of it. Clearly Conte follows the lira.

East Stand
East Stand
2 years ago

Marbella Spur mentioned on another blog that this will all end in tears, yet another false dawn. It’s Bale sold and Baldini in to spend that money all over again with Kane sold and a DOF to spend the money. Another magnificent seven eh?

East Stand
East Stand
2 years ago
Reply to  Paddio

It’s ok, Jose’s shoulders are as broad as he likes to portray them…

StuSpur
StuSpur
2 years ago

Oh dear. Heartbreak for Dele 😢

East Stand
East Stand
2 years ago

Conte plays on the counter (most Italian coaches do) but he doesn’t let the opposition have the ball for two thirds of the games a we did half then time under Jose, often to no good effect.

Secondly Conte has won major honours recently, it’s been SIX years years since Maureen won a league title. He won the League Cup and the Dopey FOUR years ago at Utd, which was small fry for them to be fair.

When have I been ‘banging on about’ Poch? You mean referring to Levy approaching him. the only thing anyone else has been talking about over the last week or so?

We’ll let Poch win Ligue 1 next season to add to the French Cup and have another crack at the the Champions League and people like you can continue to be in denial about the fact he’s won stuff. If it makes you happy…

Steve 'Killer Cushion' Williams
Steve 'Killer Cushion' Williams
2 years ago
Reply to  East Stand

Why do you rate Conte? He plays with a low block, and counter attack, his teams often sit deep. He is moodier than Maureen.. Not the ‘entertaining’ spurs way.. He is in a similar mould to Maureen.. I can’t believe you’re still banging on about Botch above man, obsessed with him.

Steve 'Killer Cushion' Williams
Steve 'Killer Cushion' Williams
2 years ago
Reply to  East Stand

LOL

Steve 'Killer Cushion' Williams
Steve 'Killer Cushion' Williams
2 years ago

Conte and a new director is exactly what we need.. Levy has to support them which begs to be seen.. Huge fan of Conte here.. First choice for me for weeks now, I didn’t think he would give us the time of day.

James McKevitt
James McKevitt
2 years ago
Reply to  East Stand

True.

Paddio
Paddio
2 years ago
Reply to  East Stand

Footballs a funny old game, there is little long or even medium term planning on the park wise like in a normal business,because you churm players in a squad to some extent every year.
Just think how unforgiving fans were with Jose (even begrudgingly giving praise after the city wins) even though he said it would be a number of transfer windows to get this squad in a place to challenge.

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