Tottenham Hotspur was heading into their 5th Round FA Cup match against Middlesbrough FC in good form, coming off a 4-0 win against Leeds United this past weekend. However, Spurs put forth a disappointing result as they crashed out in extra time after a goal from Josh Coburn.
With Tottenham out of the FA Cup, the north London club will not win any silverware. During manager Antonio Conte’s news conference with the media, the Italian tactician was asked how difficult it is for him to sit in early March, knowing his squad won’t win a trophy.
“But we have to continue to work and to know that there is the opportunity to work and to know that there is the rest of the season,” Conte said, per Football.London.
“There are three months and a half to work, to work very hard and get the best result and for the team to see at the end of the season which is our position in the table. There is only this way, and for sure we have to continue to work and to improve in many aspects. We can improve.”
The media then followed it up by asking how challenging it is for Conte, how is coming off winning Serie A last season with Inter Milan, knowing he won’t win any silverware this season.
“But in this moment, I’m the last person; I don’t think about myself. When I speak with my players and in my team and say that we have to think about ‘us,’ not ‘me,'” Conte said.
“For me, no problem, and for me, there is the desire, the will, the patience to try to continue to work very hard to improve, to make this team more stable than the past, because I think this is the key that can change the situation.”
Conte will need to turn this award heading into next season should the club back him financially and if he decides to remain as the manager for next season to get Spurs close to any silverware.