Tottenham Hotspur has decided to part ways with their head coach Antonio Conte after a mutual agreement, the club announced on Sunday. The decision was taken after the relationship between Conte and the club deteriorated in recent times.
The team’s assistant coach Cristian Stellini will take over the reins of head coach for Spurs. The Lilywhites are in fourth position in the Premier League and they are not in contention in any of the competitions.
Chairman Daniel Levy said in a statement Sunday evening: “We have 10 Premier League games remaining and we have a fight on our hands for a Champions League place.
“We all need to pull together. Everyone has to step up to ensure the highest possible finish for our club and amazing, loyal supporters.”
Meanwhile, Conte was not happy with the club’s approach, players, and the owner. The Italian launched a stinging attack on the team after his sacking and called the players ‘selfish’.
“Tottenham’s story is this: 20 years there is this owner and they never won something. Why?” Conte said. “The fault is only for the club, or for every manager that stays here? I have seen the managers that Tottenham had on the bench. You risk disrupting the figure of the manager and to protect the other situation in every moment.
“Until now I try to hide the situation, but not now because, I repeat, I don’t want to see what I have seen today because this is unacceptable and also unacceptable for the fans.”
He continued: “We are 11 players that go into the pitch. I see selfish players, I see players that don’t want to help each other and don’t put their heart.
“In my experience, I can tell you that if you want to be competitive, if you want to fight, you have to improve this aspect. And this aspect, I can tell you, in this moment is really, really low. And I see only 11 players that play for themselves.
“They are used to it. They don’t play for something important here. They don’t want to play under pressure, they don’t want to play under stress.”
In fact, Tottenham Hotspur had last won silverware back in 2008 when they defeated Chelsea in the League Cup and since then they haven’t been able to go all the way.
Conte also wrote on his Instagram account, “Football is passion. I would like to deeply thank everyone at Spurs who appreciated and shared my passion and my intense way of living football as a coach.
“A special thought to the fans who always showed me support and appreciation, it’s been unforgettable to hear them singing my name.
“Our journey together has ended, I wish you all the best for the future. Antonio.”
Tottenham Hotspur will take on Everton on 3rd April at Goodison Park.
