Antonio Conte is said to be happy at Tottenham, but will only stay at the club if they prove to him they’re serious about challenging at the top end of the Premier League.
Conte was appointed Spurs boss in November but their results have largely been inconsistent during his tenure, typified by their FA Cup exit at the hands of Championship side Middlesbrough on Tuesday.
The 1-0 defeat at the Riverside ensured the Lilywhites will go another season without silverware, and leaves them with only fourth place to focus on for the remainder of the campaign.
After Spurs lost at Burnley last month, a result which harmed their top four aspirations, Conte appeared to question the club’s transfer policy and his ability to take them forward.
Spurs brought in Juventus duo Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski in January, but let a number of squad players leave on loans/permanent transfers including the likes of Dele Alli, Bryan Gil and Tanguy Ndombele.
As a result of his post-match comments the 52-year-old’s future in north London was the subject of intense speculation. However, journalist Fabrizio Romano is adamant that Conte will stay at Tottenham provided they show their intent to be successful by backing him in the transfer market.
"First of all, we know Antonio, after the Burnley game I saw many English fans and journalists saying that he will resign and leave the club, I understand that approach, this is normal football, but as Italians, we know how Antonio works," Romano said on the Here We Go podcast.
"These are messages to the board, not to the players. I am told that Antonio is happy with the players and their approach, he’s not blaming the players.
"He wants the board to react, to plan the future now in February, March and April, not in August.
"He is happy with Tottenham life, but he wants the team to improve and sign new players, that’s why he’s sending messages now. Conte will stay at Tottenham if they will confirm to him that they will build him something important and sign important players, showing a winning mentality, not only on the pitch, but in the market as well."
