Antonio Conte's managerial methods may have helped lift Spurs to a fourth place finish last season, but things turned sour in his first full season at the helm with his pre-match runs one particular sticking point.
Former Chelsea and Inter Milan boss Conte left Spurs by mutual consent with the team still in the top four, but under significant pressure from the teams below them. The Italian had hit out at his squad after their last game, a draw at Southampton, and was already expected not to renew his contract before chairman Daniel Levy decided to make a change.
Since Conte's dismissal, details of the final days of his reign have begun to come to light. Now, it has been claimed a poor relationship with players extended to those within his squad being afraid to question the man in the dugout.
According to The Mail, players were privately left 'baffled' by Conte's decision to make them run 2km before matches. The methods are said to have left players exhausted, but they wouldn't complain within earshot of the manager.
The same report claims the Italian gathered his players for a heart-to-heart in January only to walk out and leave them to their own devices. Spurs picked up 23 points from their first 10 games - their best ever return in the Premier League - but just 26 from the next 18.
Conte is also said to have brought forward a training session from 2pm to 11am in the light of a Champions League loss at Sporting CP in September in a move which was said to be unpopular with players after the squad only returned from Lisbon hours earlier. Spurs went unbeaten in their next four European games to top their group, but suffered a meek defeat against AC Milan in the round of 16.
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The bad blood wasn't all one-way, of course. After a 3-3 draw with Southampton in what proved to be his final game in charge, Conte took aim at the players who had throw away a 3-1 lead in the final 15 minutes.
"We are 11 players that go into the pitch. I see selfish players, I see players that don't want to help each other and don't put their heart," he said.
"Being a team, it is the most important thing. To understand that we play for the badge. We have to play to make our fans proud of us. We have to pay to show desire. The fire in your eyes to win. If you have this , for sure, you don't go out in FA Cup. Today you win.
“Here we're used to it for a long time. The club has the responsibility for the transfer market, every coach that stayed here has the responsibility. And the players? The players? Where are the players?
"In my experience, I can tell you that if you want to be competitive, if you want to fight, you have to improve this aspect. And this aspect, I can tell you, in this moment is really, really low. And I see only 11 players that play for themselves."
Spurs will be managed by Cristian Stellini for the remainder of the season, with former Tottenham and England midfielder Ryan Mason serving as the Italian's assistant. A number of candidates have emerged when it comes to taking over as their next permanent manager, with Julian Nagelsmann and Mauricio Pochettino among them.
"We have 10 Premier League games remaining and we have a fight on our hands for a Champions League place," chairman Daniel Levy said in a statement. "We all need to pull together. Everyone has to step up to ensure the highest possible finish for our Club and amazing, loyal supporters."
