Cristian Stellini answers when Antonio Conte could return for Tottenham after win vs Chelsea
Tottenham Hotspur assistant manager Cristian Stellini believes manager Antonio Conte could return to the dugout for Spurs ‘this week’.
Stellini has filled in for Conte since our 3-0 FA Cup win against Preston North End at Deepdale. in late January. After that, we’ve beaten West Ham United, Manchester City and Chelsea in the league.
Losses against Leicester City and AC Milan, however, have sobered expectations and funnily enough, Conte was there to take charge for those two games. Nevertheless, the assistant manager has done well in the boss’ absence.
The former Inter Milan and Juventus boss is currently recovering from gallbladder surgery and it isn’t clear when he will return to the touchline again for Spurs. Even if Stellini is doing well, fans would miss Conte’s passion during games.
Conte nears return
More than that, his direct involvement in matches could make a world of difference given his experience, tactical nous and eye for detail. Stellini was asked if Conte could make his return before Spurs’ fifth-round FA Cup game against Sheffield United on Wednesday (1 March).
Answering the question after his team’s impressive league win at home against Chelsea earlier today (26 February), he replied to the media (h/t Football.London):
“This is the only thing I don’t know. My feeling is he will be back this week but I don’t know when.”
His answer isn’t definitive but it still sounds positive. We can back Stellini to take the managerial helm against the Blades but it would help if the experienced Conte returns by the time we face Wolverhampton Wanderers on 4 March.
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If not by then, then surely we should have him back by the time we host AC Milan in the second leg of our round-of-16 UEFA Champions League clash. Having coached in Serie A for so long, we can use all his experience and insight in this fixture, considering we need to overturn a 1-0 deficit.
