Conte's future unsure as erratic Spurs head to AC Milan
Humbled by Tottenham’s trashing at Leicester, Antonio Conte’s future appears extra unsure than ever because the Italian leads his spluttering facet into Tuesday’s Champions League conflict towards AC Milan.
Conte is again in Italy for the final 16 first leg tie simply two weeks after present process gallbladder surgical procedure in his homeland and his return is more likely to be simply as uncomfortable as his earlier go to.
The Tottenham boss has appeared more and more unsettled this season and, along with his contract expiring on the finish of the marketing campaign, it could be little shock if he determined to give up the Premier League membership in Could.
Conte has expressed unhappiness at Tottenham’s switch dealings, whereas repeatedly making it clear he believes it’s unrealistic to anticipate his facet to compete with their big-spending Premier League rivals.
Tottenham are nonetheless ready for a primary main trophy since 2008 and the workforce’s dour shows underneath Conte have hardly satisfied pissed off followers that he’s the person to finish the drought.
The nadir in Tottenham’s spluttering season got here in a 4-1 rout at Leicester on Saturday in Conte’s return to the dugout after his operation.
It has been every week from hell for Tottenham since Harry Kane turned the membership’s all-time main scorer with the winner towards Manchester Metropolis, a match Conte missed whereas recuperating.
Already rocked by an damage to France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris that can rule out the Tottenham captain for six weeks, Conte has additionally needed to take care of accidents to Yves Bissouma, Ryan Sessegnon and Rodrigo Bentancur within the final seven days.
Within the circumstances, maybe it wasn’t stunning that Conte minimize a subdued determine at Leicester, hardly ever rising from his seat on the bench in distinction to his ordinary animated persona.
Conte’s well being issues have precluded him from talking in public, which is perhaps simply as effectively after Tottenham’s wretched capitulation.
– ‘A protracted course of’ –
The 53-year-old ceded media duties to his assistant Cristian Stellini, who bemoaned Tottenham’s give up.
“The workforce has to alter one thing. Not solely individually. It is concerning the need,” Stellini stated.
“There’s not an evidence as a result of if you understand what occurs, you’ll be able to change this. It occurred additionally final season once we beat Manchester Metropolis, then misplaced to Burnley.
“To be constant is an extended course of, a psychological course of. It’s a must to be higher mentally, higher within the strategy.”
Having Conte at lower than 100% just isn’t serving to Tottenham discover a method out of their predicament.
“We spoke earlier than the game and through the game however Antonio feels the distinction. He takes care of his well being so he is aware of he must be cautious,” Stellini stated.
“He desires to be again as a result of he is our supervisor and along with his ardour he can switch as effectively however he must be cautious on this second.”
Fifth within the Premier League at current, Tottenham have been lucky fourth positioned Newcastle might solely draw at Bournemouth and sit simply two factors away from Conte’s males.
Even so, Tottenham are removed from sure to return to the Champions League subsequent season.
Failing to complete within the prime 4 would elevate questions on whether or not Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy would need to maintain Conte even when the previous Chelsea, Juventus and Inter Milan boss indicators he desires to remain.
Towards that troubled backdrop, making a future on this season’s Champions League could possibly be the one method to salve Tottenham’s wounds.
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