Alan Shearer has claimed that Antonio Conte’s emotional interview after Tottenham’s defeat at Burnley was a result of the Italian’s ‘will to win’.
Spurs slipped to a 1-0 defeat at Turf Moor last week, a result which dented their hopes of finishing in the top four this season.
After the game, which was their fourth defeat in their last five Premier League matches, Conte appeared to question his ability to take the Lilywhites forward and the club’s direction after an underwhelming January transfer window.
In the aftermath of the outburst his future with Spurs was the subject of much speculation, with many believing that the former Inter Milan boss was on the verge of leaving the club.
However, Spurs bounced back with a 4-0 victory over Leeds on Saturday and Shearer believes Conte’s reaction to the defeat at Burnley was borne out his desire to bring success to the club.
“I like him, I really like him. I like his personality, his passion, his will to win. Shearer told BBC Sport.
“He wants to pass that on to his players, his chairman, and the whole football club, and that was without doubt part of the outburst that happened after Burnley.”
Former Spurs striker Jermain Defoe echoed Shearer’s sentiments and praised the impact Conte has had in north London since he replaced Nuno Espirito Santo in November.
“Of course he is a winner. He has got that mentality and the demands that he puts on those players day in and day out. Defoe added.
“And from what I have heard, training has stepped up and when you look at the distances covered and they have gone from bottom to top, in such a short space of time. That is unbelievable.”
Conte will once again have to lift his players after they crashed out of the FA Cup on Tuesday night, however.
Middlesbrough substitute Josh Coburn scored their winner in extra-time as Chris Wilder's side beat Tottenham 1-0 at the Riverside in their fifth round clash.
