MX23RW : Wednesday, January 15 08:57:37| >> :60:2007:2007:

Tottenham Hotspur players 'relieved with Antonio Conte exit'

Tottenham players 'relieved with Antonio Conte exit'
© Reuters
Several first-team players at Tottenham Hotspur are 'pleased' to have seen head coach Antonio Conte leave the club, according to a report.

Several first-team players at Tottenham Hotspur are 'pleased' to have seen head coach Antonio Conte leave the club, according to a report.

On Sunday evening, Spurs announced that the 53-year-old had departed the club by mutual consent after just 16 months at the helm.

Tottenham were eliminated from the FA Cup and Champions League under Conte's tutelage earlier this month, while a 3-3 Premier League draw at Southampton proved to be the final nail in the Italian's coffin after he launched a scathing attack on his "selfish" players and criticised the club's hierarchy.

Conte has since returned to his family home in Turin and has taken to Instagram to thanks "everyone" at Spurs, particularly the fans, during his time in North London.

"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," said Conte.

Antonio Conte in charge of Tottenham Hotspur in January 2023© Reuters

"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."

Conte's former assistant Cristian Stellini has been placed in charge for the final 10 games of the season, while Ryan Mason will act as assistant coach.

After Conte decided to hit out at his players following the Premier League draw at Southampton, a number of first-team members were allegedly keen to see the Italian sacked during the international break.

According to the Evening Standard, Tottenham's hierarchy had little choice but to part ways with Conte as his relationship with his players had deteriorated, and the first-team squad are now 'pleased' to see the back of the former Chelsea boss.

The report adds that Conte's tendency to deflect blame for poor results onto his squad in the public and his repetitive training sessions were key factors behind Daniel Levy's decision to negotiate a mutual exit for the Italian.

Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann on March 19, 2023© Reuters

Levy is now tasked with appointing a new head coach ahead of the 2023-24 campaign, with Julian Nagelsmann recently emerging as one of the frontrunners to succeed Conte.

A recent report claims that Spurs have made contact with the 35-year-old who is at the top of Levy's 10-man managerial shortlist.

Nagelsmann is out of work after being relieved of his duties at Bayern Munich last week, with Thomas Tuchel brought in as his replacement.

Nagelsmann is expected to take time to make a final decision on his future, with Spurs potentially facing competition from Real Madrid for the German's signature amid uncertainty over the future of Carlo Ancelotti.

Premier League quartet Roberto De Zerbi, Marco Silva, Thomas Frank and Steve Cooper have also been liked with the managerial vacancy along with Luis Enrique, Sergio Conceicao, Ange Postecoglou and Oliver Glasner.

Tottenham, who currently sit fourth in the Premier League table, return to action on April 3 when they travel to Goodison Park to face relegation-threatened Everton.

ID:510037:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect7131:
Written by
Oliver Thomas

Click here for more stories about Antonio Conte

Click here for more stories about Tottenham Hotspur

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann on March 19, 2023
Read Next:
Julian Nagelsmann 'tops 10-man shortlist of Antonio Conte replacements'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool20145148202847
2Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest21125430201041
3Arsenal20117239182140
4Chelsea21107441261537
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2110563829935
7Bournemouth219753225734
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham217953230230
10Brentford218494037328
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
12West Ham UnitedWest Ham217592741-1426
13Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2044123145-1416
18Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!