Antonio Conte casts doubt on Tottenham Hotspur future in dramatic press conference
Speaking after his side’s 1-0 loss to Burnley in the Premier League last night (h/t Evening Standard), Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte suggested that he may not be the right person for the job in a dramatic press conference.
Spurs were unable to get past a resolute Burnley side that frustrated the away team, snuffing out any Tottenham attacks. The Clarets paid rich dividends for their approach, as captain Ben Mee headed home the winner in the second half to hand the side all three points at home.
Conte was visibly upset about the loss, saying he needed to have a chat with club officials about the current situation. The Italian insisted that he was too honest to accept the result as is and think about finishing the season this way.
“I have to talk to the club. I think Tottenham called me to improve the situation but I’m too honest. I’m too honest to close my eyes, you understand, and to continue to say, ‘Ok I want to finish the season in this way and OK my salary is good’.”
The former Chelsea manager’s frustrations can be understood, given that they are slipping behind in the race for the top four after this latest loss. It is even more incredible to think that this was the same team that defeated defending champions Manchester City at home the previous weekend.
“I’m not so good”
This was Tottenham’s fourth league loss in five games, which is one of the club’s worst runs in the Premier League in recent years. Despite having an accomplished manager like Conte at the helm, the team is just not able to produce results.
Conte questioned his own ability to lead the side in this current situation and said neither the fans nor the club deserved this result. The manager shockingly accepted that this was the reality at Spurs and that it needed to improve soon.
“No one deserves this type of situation – the club, me, the players and fans. But this is the reality. I came in to try to improve the situation in Tottenham but maybe in this moment, I don’t know, I’m not so good to improve the situation.”
In what was clearly an emotional and honest press conference from the ex Inter Milan boss, the state of the club and his team were bared as Conte looked defeated and upset at the circumstances he finds himself in.
This kind of reaction from a head coach is rare to see, but the Spurs boss is always one to wear his heart on his sleeve and express his thoughts without fearing the consequences. However, it is sure to cause panic in Tottenham fans, with the manager questioning his own future at the club so soon into his reign.
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Conte only took up the job late in November last year, and it cannot be argued that the Lilywhites have improved upon the performances that we all saw under his predecessor Nuno Espirito Santo. However, even the accomplished Italian is unable to stop the club’s recent slide and it will worry everyone associated with the north London club.
Only time will tell if last night’s press conference has created a gloomy atmosphere at the club, but all we can do as fans is support our team and hope that they come back strong against Leeds United on the weekend and put this quickly behind them.
