Tottenham winger Heung-min Son has admitted his disappointment at former manager Antonio Conte’s scathing assessment of the team - even if he agrees with one element of it.
The then-Spurs boss reacted furiously to his side dropping a two-goal lead to draw at soon-to-be relegated Southampton last season, in an outburst which pushed the club and coach towards eventually parting ways.
Conte questioned the players’ desire to win and “selfish” attitude but Son has insisted he himself did not put in enough quality performances for his old boss.
“It is a bit painful but I think people see it in different ways,” the 31-year-old told football.london.
“I don’t think he meant it. He was just in an aggressive way, an emotional way after the game.
“I’m grateful to him. I can’t say anything bad about him because I take the blame. I should have done much, much better. Two years ago I won the Golden Boot and the expectation was high. The team needed me in a different way in the difficult moments and, for any reasons, pain or whatever, I couldn’t perform so I still feel sorry for him.
“I was good with him, the season before was fantastic. I won the Golden Boot with him. I can’t say anything bad about him. I’m grateful to have worked with him.
“Obviously, the end was not ideal, not what we wanted but I’m grateful and I’ve learned lots of things about football and being a human being, and about being more passionate.”
South Korean winger Son underwent surgery at the end of last season on an injury which he claimed was plaguing him all year long.
At times, his lack of form led to his position in the side being questioned and yet he decided not to undergo the operation.
“Probably people are thinking why didn’t I do the surgery as early as possible but for me it felt like for the club during the season every single moment felt like a difficult moment,” he noted.
“I didn’t want to let the people down. I didn’t want to let the players and the staff down because that means a lot to me, and then the fans supporting me, I take the responsibility whether I played good or bad, with pain or not.”
