After Tottenham's 0-0 draw at the Brentford Community Stadium, it wasn't the performance that took over the headlines in the days after. They were focused instead on the future of Antonio Conte at Tottenham as rumours circulate about him making a move to Paris Saint-Germain, with Mauricio Pochettino's managerial future at the French club in doubt.
Spurs have fallen outside the top fou, since their defeat to Brighton and draw against Thomas Frank's side, but they still have five games to try and secure Champions League football for next season. As expected, those around Conte have dismissed the reports as speculation and football.london understands there is no official break clause this summer in the former Inter Milan manager's deal.
Pochettino had some great years at Tottenham, with his most notable achievement securing their place in the Champions League final. However, he hasn't had an easy ride at PSG, with some fans not taking well to the Argentine and that has put his job in doubt, leading to speculation over his return to N17, perhaps in a possible swap deal with Conte going in the opposite direction.
READ MORE: The truth about Antonio Conte and PSG, release clause talk and Daniel Levy calls to Pochettino
There will be a post-season meeting, involving Conte, Fabio Paratici and Daniel Levy. This is likely to not only decide the future of the 52-year-old, but also the next steps for Tottenham on the pitch too. With less than a month of the 2021/22 campaign left to run, football.london takes a look at some of the questions that will need to be answered.
Will Antonio Conte be Tottenham manager next season?
With the reports that have been circulating, this is the first question that will need to be answered. There is likely to be a lot of factors that determine this but in-depth conversation on Tottenham's future and the transfer window will become pointless to an extent, if the Italian won't be involved next season.
Getting in the top four is vital for Spurs, for so many reasons. Not only will it be a massive financial boost, it will also prove useful during the transfer window and is sure to help with trying to keep the Italian at the club. Conte has already had his say on his Tottenham future and it has all been positive. "I am committed to this club for another year and the club wanted this type of situation," he admitted.
"I accepted because it was good to know each other. After four months at the club, I think the club understood my way to work, I understood the club. At the end of the season, we will continue to improve this knowledge of each other and then to find the best solution for both."
However, so much can change so quickly in football and no one knows what goes on behind closed doors. If Spurs finish the season strongly and Conte does commit himself to the club for another season, as he has stated, then there will still be further questions which require answers.
How many players are needed?
If it wasn't already clear, the last two matches have highlighted that a number of positions need upgrading in the Tottenham squad. The injury to Matt Doherty has left Emerson Royal as the only right wing-back option available to Conte.
Despite the Brazilian only making the move to the capital last summer, he has failed to make the required impact down the right flank, creating doubts over his future at Spurs. On the left, Ryan Sessegnon has struggled with injuries this season, but when he made a return at the Brentford Community Stadium, he didn't impress as expected.
Sergio Reguilon has been the other option on the left, but has also produced a mixture of good and bad performances and with Real Madrid's option to re-sign the 24-year-old, he also has an uncertain future in north London. Incomings are also likely to be impacted by the outgoings that Tottenham sort, which also sees some uncertainty, with Bryan Gil, Giovani Lo Celso and Tanguy Ndombele all yet to return from loan spells.
Not only does Conte need upgrades to those in his starting line-up, the lack of quality in the depth of the squad is also something that needs to be resolved. The Italian has been criticised for his late substitutions. However, he doesn't have many game changing players on the bench to choose from.
When some of the fringe players have been given game time, they haven't impressed enough to warrant a start and that has become an issue for Spurs, in games when either individuals or the team are struggling. A back-up striker for Harry Kane and more midfield options are two areas where more depth is needed.
Conte isn't going to get every player in the summer window that he wants, but he will be expecting strong support from the club to help take Tottenham to the next level.
Will Daniel Levy back Antonio Conte?
It is all well and good the 52-year-old telling Paratici and Levy the players he wants to remain in his team and those he doesn't, as well as the new players he wants to join his squad. However, he then needs the backing of those above him to make that business happen.
Bringing in a manager like the Italian, who has had success at a number of clubs, was great for Tottenham. But if Levy is now not going to back him with some financial clout in the transfer market, there is a question over why the chairman even brought Conte to N17.
When Conte explained his commitment to the club, he also didn't fail to mention the improvements he still needs and wants to make, which will require backing. "We have showed we have just started to improve the situation," he explained.
"To be competitive, to become strong, to fight to win the league or stay in the top four, we need a big, big improvement. We have started to do this with these players because we are working very well and in my opinion we are improving a lot.
"For sure, you need in the future to have other important steps and ambition with facts, not only with words, to become stronger," Conte added. The Spurs boss doesn't want to just be getting into the top four, he wants to be challenging for league titles.
Therefore, assuming the 52-year-old decides to stay in north London, he will need the backing of those above to help him take Tottenham to the next level and help end their 14-year trophy drought.
