OFFICIAL: Antonio Conte quits Spurs after 16 months
Conte was appointed as the head coach of Spurs in November 2021,
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club has confirmed the departure of Antonio Conte as the manager of the team. The decision to part ways with the Italian coach comes after a heated exchange with the club's owner, Daniel Levy, and the team's disappointing trophy record.
Conte was appointed as the head coach of Spurs in November 2021, and although his contract was due to expire at the end of the current season, the decision was made to part ways before the end of the 2022-23 campaign.
The 52-year-old coach expressed his frustration after a 3-3 draw with Southampton on March 18, where he criticized the team's lack of cohesion and commitment, accusing some players of being selfish and not putting in their best effort. Conte also suggested that Tottenham's trophy drought was a club-wide issue rather than the fault of any particular manager.
Following the exchange, Tottenham released an official statement on Sunday, announcing that they had parted ways with the coach by mutual agreement. The statement acknowledged the team's accomplishment of securing Champions League qualification in Conte's first season and thanked him for his contributions while wishing him well for the future.
Cristian Stellini, who previously served as an assistant coach under Conte, will take over as Acting Head Coach for the remainder of the season, with Ryan Mason serving as Assistant Head Coach. Stellini will be back on the touchline when Spurs resume their season away at Everton on April 3.
During his tenure at Tottenham, Conte managed the team for 76 games, securing 41 victories and suffering 23 defeats. He was able to guide the team to a top-four finish last season, securing qualification for the Champions League. However, he was not able to bring the team's 15-year wait for major silverware to an end.
Tottenham will be hoping that the change in leadership will help the team regain its focus and finish the season strongly. They currently sit in seventh place in the Premier League table, three points behind fourth-placed West Ham United with eight games remaining in the season.
