Bruised by Tottenham’s defeat at Leicester, Antonio Conte’s future looks more uncertain than ever as the Italian leads his formidable side into Tuesday’s Champions League clash against AC Milan. Conte is back in Italy for the last 16 first leg two weeks after undergoing gallbladder surgery in his homeland and his return is likely to be as uncomfortable as his last trip. The Tottenham boss has looked increasingly volatile this season and with his contract expiring at the end of the campaign, it would be little surprise if he decides to leave the Premier League club in May.
Conte has expressed his unhappiness over Tottenham’s transfer deal, while repeatedly making clear he believes it is unrealistic to expect them to compete with their big-spending Premier League rivals.
Tottenham are still awaiting a first major trophy since 2008 and the team’s poor run of form under Conte has hardly convinced disheartened fans that he is the man to end the drought.
Conte’s return to the dugout after surgery ended a 4-1 defeat at Leicester on Saturday in Tottenham’s sputtering season.
It’s been a week from hell for Tottenham since then harry kane Became the club’s all-time leading scorer with the winner against Manchester City, a match Conte missed while recuperating.
France goalkeeper shaken before injury hugo loris will rule the Tottenham captain out for six weeks, Conte also has to deal with injuries to Yves Bissouma, Ryan Sessegnon and rodrigo Bentancur in the last seven days.
In the circumstances, it was perhaps not surprising that Conte cut a subdued figure at Leicester, rarely rising from his seat on the bench in contrast to his usual animated persona.
Conte’s health problems have prevented him from speaking publicly, which could happen just after Tottenham’s ill-fated surrender.
‘A long process’
The 53-year-old ceded media duties to his assistant Christian Stellini, who mourned Tottenham’s surrender.
“The team has to change something. Not just individually. It’s about desire,” said Stellini.
“There is no explanation because if you know what happens, you can change it. It also happened last season when we beat Manchester City, then lost to Burnley.
“Being consistent is a long process, a mental process. You have to get better mentally, better in approach.”
Conte being less than 100 per cent is not helping Tottenham out of their predicament.
“We talked before the game and during the game but Antonio feels the difference. He takes care of his health so he knows he has to be careful,” Stellini said.
“He wants to come back because he is our manager and with his passion he can transfer but he needs to be careful at the moment.”
Currently fifth in the Premier League, Tottenham were fortunate to only draw at fourth-placed Newcastle at Bournemouth and stay just two points clear of Conte’s men.
Nevertheless, Tottenham are far from returning to the Champions League next season.
Failure to finish in the top four will raise questions about whether Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy wants to keep Conte, even though the former Chelsea, Juventus and Inter Milan boss has indicated he wants to stay.
Against that troubling backdrop, making a long run in this season’s Champions League may be Tottenham’s only way to heal its wounds.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and was auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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