Antonio Conte’s Return to the Bench for Wednesday’s Crucial Champions League Matchup Against AC Milan, Spurs Face Uncertain Future Antonio Conte’s uncertain future threatens to ruin Tottenham’s sputtering season.
After missing the last four games as he recovered from gallbladder surgery, Conte is likely to take over at Tottenham.
Conte watched Tottenham go through a choppy period while staying in touch with his assistant Cristian Stellini and watching television back home in Italy. This exemplified the inconsistent form the club had shown under his leadership.
Spurs appeared well on their way to securing a spot in the top four of the Premier League after a pair of 2-0 victories over West Ham and Chelsea.
However, a miserable FA Cup fifth-round defeat to second-tier Sheffield United by a score of 1-0 and a similar league defeat to Wolves on Saturday shattered that optimism.
This week, when Conte went back into Tottenham’s luxurious training facility, he found a team that wasn’t exactly in trouble—they still sit fourth in the Premier League right now—but was once more seemingly lurching toward a disappointing season’s end.
Even a manager with Conte’s pedigree has been unable to end the drought for the north Londoners, who have not won a major trophy since 2008.
During the height of Liverpool’s success under the German, Jurgen Klopp famously referred to his players as “mentality monsters.” However, Tottenham’s often sluggish response to pressure has made them appear more like “mentality midgets.”
Conte has portrayed Tottenham’s issues as beyond his control, hints of dissatisfaction with Chairman Daniel Levy’s transfer policy without directly criticizing Levy.
However, Tottenham supporters, who are getting sick of the 53-year-old’s conservative tactics and questionable substitutions, are bearing some of the blame.
Massive boost
Prior to the FA Cup defeat, Stellini’s string of three consecutive victories made some Tottenham fans wonder about the team’s prospects without Conte.
The former Chelsea, Inter Milan and Juventus champion hasn’t signed a contract extension yet, but if he were available, he would be highly sought after by Serie A clubs.
Even if Tottenham finishes in the top four to return to the Champions League, it wouldn’t surprise anyone if Conte and Levy decided to part ways in May. In the second leg of the last 16 matches, Tottenham faces Milan in an effort to overcome a 1-0 deficit from their first meeting at the San Siro.
Before a game that will define their season, Tottenham needs Conte to lift their spirits.
Another indication of Tottenham’s woes would be to lose to a mediocre Milan team, but a victory could set the stage for a more upbeat conclusion.
Ben Davies, a defender for Tottenham, acknowledged the significance of Conte’s presence at the Milan match.
Stellini echoed Davies’ hope that Tottenham can be revived by their manager’s return, despite the fact that Conte has presented a disgruntled figure on the field this season.
“It is crucial that Antonio returns. Antonio is shown by the team that it is alive. They want to win and take over the game.”