Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has appeared to slam Antonio Conte for his "b****cks" approach to managing Tottenham after leaving the club.
The Italian's departure was confirmed late on Sunday night after a week of intense speculation following Spurs' 3-3 draw with rock-bottom side Southampton. Conte launched an explosive post-match rant, taking aim at his "selfish" players and Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy.
As the post-mortem began on Monday morning, Scholes posted - and then swiftly deleted - a scathing message on Instagram, referencing the kind of rhetoric which usually follows a high-profile manager's sacking. "Here we go @talkSPORT," the former United star began.
"A manager gets sacked so everyone blames recruitment, and a top class manager blames lack of ambition. Why don't any managers say when they're smiling and shaking hands with a player at their press conference, 'I don't like this player, I think [he] will eventually get me the sack'. Saves the same old b****cks once they are sacked or leave."
Scholes has evidently sided with Tottenham over the decision to let Conte go, despite urging his beloved United to snap up the ex-Chelsea, Juventus and Inter Milan boss just over a year ago before Erik ten Hag was appointed. "Some people say he was not suited to United but you have seen what he is doing at Tottenham with a squad that is nowhere near as good as United's," he told the Webby and O'Neill YouTube channel in January 2022.
"He will probably challenge for the top four and United missed a trick with him. They could probably still get him from Tottenham. Tottenham fans probably won't like me for saying that. You can see he is already getting frustrated with his squad of players and is asking for other stuff. Conte could do something special, he has got the pedigree to do it. Will we be able to get him? I don't know."
Conte is now back home in Italy following a tumultuous 16-month spell in North London. Former Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino has been tipped to return, while Julian Nagelsmann's recent sacking by Bayern Munich has presented Tottenham with an opportunity to appoint a man whom they've long kept tabs on.
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Other names suggested include the out-of-work Luis Enrique, Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi and Eintracht Frankfurt gaffer Oliver Glasner. A statement from the club confirmed that Conte's old No.2, Crisitian Stellini, will take charge until the end of this season, assisted by ex-Tottenham midfielder Ryan Mason.
Spurs face a fight to finish in the top four and achieve Champions League qualification for the second successive season. Their first match since Conte's sacking will be away to a resurgent Everton team next Monday.
