Once again Daniel Levy finds himself in familiar territory, with a big managerial decision to make in a crucial part of the season.
The last time the Spurs chairman was in this situation, Jose Mourinho was given his marching orders just days before the Carabao Cup final. It was a big decision which did not pay-off, as the Lilywhites lost 1-0 to Manchester City, albeit in front of a vastly reduced crowd due to Covid restrictions.
Levy of course is not shy of making the big decision. He ruthlessly replaced Nuno Espirito Santo with Conte himself after just three months in the job, the Tottenham chairman is a man of conviction no doubt. The only issue being, based off of their success in regards to trophies in the last 15 years, it seems that conviction hasn't necessarily led to making the right decision.
Spurs find themselves at that managerial crossroads yet again, torn whether to stick of twist with a top 4 finish still well within their grasp. Antonio Conte has however made the decision that much easier with his incredible outburst after his sides dramatic 3-3 draw with bottom of the table Southampton.
READ MORE: Fabio Paratici's big day and the Tottenham difficulty in reappointing Mauricio Pochettino
Antonio Conte's side still find themselves occupying 4th place, although somewhat precariously as in form Newcastle beneath them have two games in hand. It has been apparent for a while that Conte would depart in the summer at the end of his contract, but perhaps the atmosphere now has become too toxic to tolerate.
It is often the manager that loses the dressing room, but in this curious case it seems that the dressing room has lost the manager. But talent does not simply evaporate, and Conte is a manager of supreme talent as evidenced by his winning record.
So, whilst Daniel Levy faces another crucial decision for the future of Tottenham Hotspur football club, football.london readers have told him in no uncertain terms what they think. We recently polled around 2000 Spurs fans for their thoughts on the current situation, and should Levy make the decision to sack Conte, there's only one man that appeals.
Some people say to never go back to your exes, but that does not apply to Spurs fans here! Overwhelmingly Mauricio Pochettino was the clear favourite to make a triumphant return to N17 to right the wrongs of the past.
Pochettino's Spurs record was to be admired, guiding them to a League Cup and Champions League final, as well as securing their highest ever Premier League points tally in his time in charge. There is perhaps a danger of nostalgia clouding the judgement however.
The Premier League has evolved a lot since Poch's Spurs team were at their best, and the Argentine failed to make a significant impact in his stint at PSG, though not many have. If public opinion is to be the metric though, Spurs fans are interested in no-one else.
Thomas Tuchel was closest, but a way off, as you can see from the full results to the next manager question below.
So whilst Daniel Levy's job might be easy in pleasing the masses with that decision, he certainly won't like who the Spurs faithful think is to blame for the current situation at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Whilst there is understandable anger directed at Antonio Conte, Daniel Levy and the board draw the most ire from the Lilywhites followers. When asked who is to blame for the current situation at the club, over 50% of responders elected for Levy and the board.
Conte was closest behind at just under 30%, with the players themselves trailing further behind at around 14%. A pretty damning indictment of Levy's running of the club from the Spurs faithful.
With Conte's latest comments, he joins others who have criticised the ambition of the Tottenham hierarchy. It feels almost like groundhog day to say the culture needs to change in N17, but here is another elite manager on the cusp of leaving the club having failed to attain any silverware.
When compared with where Tottenham were in the mid 00s, Levy has done a fantastic job into making the team into a perennial fixture amongst the European elite, with a stadium that is envied the world over. But with that elevation, comes elevated expectations.
Spurs have consistently failed to make that final step from a good team, to a great team. And fans clearly believe the major blame for this lies with Levy and the board.
Just how it can change, or if it can even change remains to be seen. But, unfortunately for the higher ups at Spurs and fans alike, the one club showing it can be done are the last club they'd want to see do it.
The next manager is of course a a crucial choice. But Spurs' hierarchy face a bigger choice. The culture needs to change to truly take Tottenham to the next level, and Daniel Levy is the man who can lead that change. Fans want it, players want it and clearly the managers he hires want it to.
But will the Spurs chairman ever change his ways? Time will only tell.
Make sure to give your thoughts on what comes next for Spurs by leaving a comment and joining the debate.
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