Antonio Conte reveals reason for signing ‘strange’ Tottenham Hotspur contract
Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte has revealed the reason for signing a ‘strange’ one-and-a-half-year contract when he was hired to replace Nuno Espirito Santo just before the midway point in the 2021-22 season.
Fans would have feared at that point what would happen if Conte and Spurs don’t reach an agreement on an extension. That has now become a reality, and the focus has shifted from our performances and transfers to where Conte’s future lies.
The former Inter Milan and Juventus manager has now revealed why he signed such an unusual short-term deal. Speaking at his pre-match press conference before the game against Nottingham Forest this weekend, Conte said (h/t Football.London):
“You know with the club we signed a contract, a strange contract – one-year-and-a-half. Usually you sign a contract for three years but I think it was for the club and also for myself to see the situation.
“For the club to understand my personality, my capacity as a coach and for me from my side it was also the same. To understand if we were on the same page and if we wanted to do something important.”
He then went on to confirm that he will take a decision on his future at the end of the season.
“Now after one year and a half, the club knows me, I know the club and it is clear this situation. For this reason I repeat, we have to finish the season and then we will see. The club knows very well what are my thoughts. I am ready to die for this club until the end of the season.”
From the looks of it, one can speculate if this is either due to the club not backing him properly in the transfer market with the signing he needs, or that he wants the club to be in the UEFA Champions League next season – or both.
Or neither, and the reason could be something else entirely. Nevertheless, it doesn’t seem like the boss and Spurs’ board are on the same page, and that could be a problem.
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- Tottenham Hotspur draw up four-man shortlist including Luis Enrique and Luciano Spalletti to replace Antonio Conte
This was never going to be a proper rebuild unless the manager was on board for the long run from day 1. Perhaps Daniel Levy saw Conte’s appointment as a short-term fix to get us silverware and end a long drought. That hasn’t worked out at all. Another trophyless season for us.
