Tottenham Hotspur have parted company with Antonio Conte.
The Italian manager was expected to leave the Londoners when his £15million-a-year contract ended in June, but he has left ahead of that date after Spurs chairman Daniel Levy decided his position was untenable. This came after his remarkable post-match press conference following the 3-3 draw with Southampton last weekend.
Tottenham have confirmed Cristian Stellini will be their acting head coach for the remainder of the season, with Ryan Mason his assistant.
Levy announced his decision on Sunday night. He said, "We have 10 Premier League games remaining and we have a fight on our hands for a Champions League place. We all need to pull together. Everyone has to step up to ensure the highest possible finish for our Club and amazing, loyal supporters."
Tottenham threw away a 3-1 lead against the Premier League's bottom side at St Mary's - just days after a tame Champions League exit at the hands of AC Milan. That led to an extraordinary 10-minute outburst from the former Juventus, Chelsea and Inter Milan manager at full-time, in which he lambasted his players, branding them “selfish”, and declaring that there is a rotten culture at the club.
"I see selfish players, I see players that don't want to help each other and don't put their heart [in]," declared the Italian. He added, "I see only 11 players that play for themselves.
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"Why is it happening? Because they are used to it here, they are used to it. They don't play for something important yeah. They don't want to play under pressure, they don't want to play under stress. It is easy in this way."
Other comments were also made, perceived to be about the club's board and Levy himself. The long-time chairman sought answers from Conte after the Southampton game and the 53-year-old insisted that his criticism was aimed only at the players and not the chairman or anyone else at the club.
Ultimately, the decision was made that the juice was no longer worth the squeeze with the outspoken Italian and that his exit was the best for the club in their bid to secure a Champions League place for next term.
Conte flew back to Italy after his outburst, with reports suggesting Tottenham would part company with him before the end of the international break. Spurs are back in Premier League action on Monday, April 3, when they take on Everton at Goodison Park.
Tottenham have just 10 Premier League remaining this season. Their hopes of holding on to fourth spot and qualifying for the Champions League hang in the balance, as they sit two points ahead of Newcastle in fifth having played two games more.
Tottenham will end the season without a major honour after crashing out of the FA Cup to Championship side Sheffield United in the last 16. They have not won a trophy since their League Cup success in 2008.
