Tottenham boss Antonio Conte says his future will be settled at the end of the season, but has admitted the club could “sack me even sooner” after missing out on the Champions League.
Spurs lost their round of 16 tie with AC Milan 1-0 on aggregate after a goalless draw in the second leg in north London on Wednesday, when the home team managed just two shots on goal in a bland display.
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The result means Tottenham’s wait for a trophy is extended to 15 years, raising further questions about Conte’s position at the club. The Italian’s existing contract expires this summer, though Spurs have the option to extend that deal for another year.
The club has not yet taken that option and talks on a new deal have not reached an advanced stage.
“I’m still working, I have a contract with Tottenham,” he told Amazon Prime Italia. “I respect the contract. At the end of the season, assessments will be made with the club in the most serene way.
“Let’s see how the season ends. Maybe they can kick me out even sooner. Maybe the expectations were higher and they might disappoint me. The important thing for a coach is to try to work and raise the bar. This year we are fighting to raise the bar.” .”
Tottenham’s European disappointment comes just a week after their embarrassing FA Cup fifth round exit to Championship top-flight Sheffield United, leaving them with just one Premier League top-four finish. for which to fight.
They currently sit in fourth place, three points ahead of Liverpool, who are one game down and have a significantly higher goal difference.
Spurs were booed at half time and full time against Milan with supporters also mocking Conte’s decision to replace the winger. Dejan Kulusevsky with defender davinson sanchez during the last 12 minutes when he needed a goal to force extra time.
“I’m very sorry for the fans, I’m very sorry for the fans, but we can’t make up the victory,” Conte continued in his post-match press conference.
“This is important to know this. We cannot make up victory or expect a miracle one day when a trophy enters our training ground or field.
“We have to build and have patience. I understand it from the fans, they don’t have patience because Tottenham haven’t won for a long time, but what I can promise is that we will continue to work very hard so that this club tries to improve.” and then we see what happens.
“It’s been a year and three months since I’ve been a Tottenham manager. I always say the same things. We need time and patience because right now we don’t have a solid base to be competitive to fight to win in my opinion.
“We try to work, to understand which are the right players to continue creating a solid base and the transfer market to try to find the right solution to improve the team, but at this moment the club knows very well what my thoughts are and I “. I have a great relationship with my president (Daniel Levy), with (managing director) Fabio Paratici, but that doesn’t mean I don’t tell them what my vision is, you know? Then we’ll see.”
