Former Chelsea midfielder says Graham Potter a better long-term managerial option for Tottenham Hotspur than Antonio Conte

Speaking to ESPN FC (h/t Express), former Chelsea ace Craig Burley claimed that Tottenham Hotspur need to look for a long-term manager as compared to Antonio Conte, and has suggested Brighton’s Graham Potter as a replacement.

Conte took over at Spurs towards the end of last year, after Spurs sacked Nuno Espirito Santo failed to put together a winning run. Despite starting well under Nuno, going an entire month unbeaten, the squad failed to replicate that form later on.

Burley, who won the FA Cup with Chelsea in 1997, said that he did not trust Conte’s longevity at Spurs, and instead recommended Potter to take up the role in north London as a long-term option for the club.

“I’ve always been concerned about the longevity of this and I’ve always felt that a different approach, a longer-term approach for Spurs, if there is their mentality, [would be] somebody like Graham Potter.”

“I firmly believe he will eventually move from Brighton, who are an excellent club and are run well, but I think he will step up and I think it’s a longer-term approach, a more patient approach.”

Although Conte has overseen an upturn in confidence and form since taking over last year, Spurs are currently in a rut, having lost three league games in a row. The team is currently eighth in the Premier League table, in danger of missing out on a top-four finish at the end of the season.

High-flying Brighton

Potter has done a remarkable job at Brighton, developing the side to a top-table team in recent years and getting the best out of his stars, despite not having a large bank account to spend on world-class players.

Burley believes this is exactly what makes him a great fit for Spurs. But then again, Conte has had just one window here. We should at least give the man a whole season before shooting daggers his way. His success at Chelsea, Juventus, and Inter Milan speaks for itself.

Conte is a renowned tactician and expert head coach who is known for delivering success wherever he has managed. The Spurs boss has won multiple trophies in different leagues, with his methods bringing glory to the sides he has been in charge of.

Although Burley made a great point of 46-year-old Potter working wonders at Brighton with a limited budget and young players, Spurs are a side that has the finances to deliver top-quality players and aim to be a team that rivals massive clubs like Manchester City, Manchester United, and Chelsea.

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Spurs have long-suffered due to mediocrity, and this needs to end with the club roping in world-class managers and players. We already have a manager who is a proven winner, and we need to provide him with players he requires to deliver trophies.

Spurs are up against a strong Manchester City side on the weekend, who have wisely invested in top players. The club will need to work hard in the summer to back Conte with new signings, so they too aim to reach City’s level of consistency and success.