Tottenham Hotspur Sack Antonio Conte After Lashing Out On Players And Owners

Tottenham have parted ways with Antonio Conte after the Italian slammed his players calling them “selfish” after last Saturday’s 3-3 draw with Southampton.

Conte hit out at his Tottenham players by calling them “selfish” and not wanting to play “under pressure” after they threw away a 3-1 lead at Southampton last Saturday; Conte departs after 16 months in charge, with Spurs again set to end the season without a trophy

Spurs sack Antonio Conte

Spurs say that Conte’s assistant Christian Stellini will be acting head coach for the rest of the season, with former midfielder Ryan Mason assistant head coach.

An official statement released by Tottenham on Sunday reads as “We can announce that Head Coach Antonio Conte has left the Club by mutual agreement. We achieved Champions League qualification in Antonio’s first season at the Club. We thank Antonio for his contribution and wish him well for the future.”

Also, Daniel Levy said in a statement, “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.”

Another Season Without A Trophy For Spurs

Conte departs Tottenham after 16 months in charge following an extraordinary rant against his players after they threw away a 3-1 lead at rock-bottom Southampton to cap a miserable March for the club. Conte spell at Spurs was the worst of his career with Tottenham with 54.1% win percentage in 76 games managed.

They struggled for consistency for much of his early tenure before a six-game unbeaten run, including a 3-0 win over rivals Arsenal, secured a top four finish. But Tottenham’s troubles have continued this season with nine defeats, four draws in 28 league games, and questions about the playing style.

They suffered a tame exit to AC Milan in the Champions League earlier in March, after Championship side Sheffield United knocked them out of the FA Cup at the start of the month, leaving them without a trophy for another season since 2008.

Conte Fired After Publicly Lashing On Players And The Owners

Conte, whose contract was set to expire at the end of the season, said after the 3-3 draw last Saturday that “I’m not used to seeing this type of situation. I see a lot of selfish players and I don’t see a team.”

He added in his post-match press conference saying, “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].”

Conte also lashed on to the owners saying, “Tottenham’s story is this: 20 years there is this owner and they never won something. Why? 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.”

Tottenham’s Struggle With Managers

Italian Conte, who had won league titles with former clubs Chelsea, Juventus and Inter Milan, was appointed in November 2021 after Spurs sacked Nuno Espirito Santo.

His departure means Spurs are searching for their fourth permanent manager in four years since Mauricio Pochettino left in 2019.

Tottenham have won one trophy since the ownership group chaired by Levy took over the club in 2001 – the League Cup in 2008 – and have had 11 different managers.