Chris Sutton has urged Antonio Conte to leave his role as Tottenham boss immediately, with it now being impossible for the Italian to end the club's trophy drought this season.
Spurs were knocked out of the Champions League by AC Milan last week, were dumped out of the FA Cup by Sheffield United a fortnight ago and are a likely insurmountable 18 points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal, with Conte's men having also exited the Carabao Cup at the third round stage.
It means the club will suffer another desperately disappointing season, despite being under the management of a man many consider to be a serial winner. There is now growing uncertainty around Conte's future, with his contract expiring in the summer.
It is widely expected that the Italian will leave his post when that deal runs out. But former Premier League winner Chris Sutton believes he should leave Tottenham immediately, rather than wait for the end of the campaign.
"It's better for all concerned if he goes now. I think he will see the season out, but I'm just really confused what is going on at Spurs at this moment," Sutton told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.
"Antonio Conte really needs to commit one way or the other and if he says 'I'm here and happy to sign for another year or two' then Tottenham can move on but it doesn't look like he will.
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"Therefore if Tottenham want to progress, they are better off making a change now. They have regressed from last season, they have been massively inconsistent."
Sutton also slammed the Spurs squad for their "insipid" performance in the defeat to Milan. And he believes they now have nothing to play for apart from finishing in the top four, which they are well placed to do.
"I was at the Milan game last week where I thought their performance was really insipid," Sutton added.
"The bigger issue among the Tottenham fanbase was the FA Cup against Sheffield United with a weakened side, now what are they playing for? They have a good chance of getting fourth but they have been a massive disappointment this season.
"One of the biggest things is Tottenham fans' [hopes] and brand of football and they do not get that brand of football under Conte so he needs to win trophies."
Conte oversaw a comfortable win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday, maintaining their place in the top four. The Italian was happy to see his players respond to the disappointment of the last two weeks with a dominant performance.
“We played a good game, a good response by the players. Two days after a tough game against Milan, I thought we found the right energy to play well," Conte told SpursPlay.
“I’m happy for the three points, now there are 11 games to go and we have to be focussed on the next game against Southampton. For us, it’s very important. Every game is vital is we want to fight for Europe.”
