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Antonio Conte is strangely ‘ready to be named in the Premier League shortlist of the month’, despite taking charge for one game, after Spurs won three games under number 2 Cristian Stellini as he recovered of a surgery.
- Antonio Conte’s only game on the bench was Tottenham’s 4-1 loss to Leicester.
- Assistant Cristian Stellini oversaw wins over Man City, West Ham and Chelsea
- Stellini said Conte was involved in all decisions despite recovering from surgery
Tottenham head coach Antonio Conte is bizarrely expected to be included among the nominees for the Premier League manager of the month award, despite only overseeing one game from the bench.
Conte underwent surgery to remove his gallbladder earlier in the month, with his assistant Cristian Stellini taking charge in Tottenham’s 1-0 win over champions Manchester City.
The head coach returned to the dugout as Spurs suffered a 4-1 loss to Leicester.
Conte had a setback in his recovery from the operation, and his surgeon advised him to take time off work to focus on his recovery.
The 53-year-old admitted that he had “underestimated” the procedure.
Antonio Conte is expected to be nominated for the Premier League manager of the month
Conte’s assistant Cristian Stellini has led Tottenham to three wins as he recovers from surgery.
Conte’s only Premier League game on the bench in February was Spurs’ 4-1 loss to Leicester.
His absence saw Stellini return to lead the first team in Tottenham’s 2-0 win over West Ham, before beating Chelsea by the same scoreline on Sunday.
According to the evening standardThe Premier League is still expected to name Conte in the list of five managers this week.
Conte has been in close contact with Stellini during Tottenham’s preparations for matches, with the head coach observing each training session.
Stellini has said that Conte has been “involved in every situation and every decision”.
Conte would reportedly share the award with Stellini if he was announced as the winner.
The Tottenham head coach had previously become the first manager to win the award in three consecutive months in 2017 when he was in charge of Chelsea.
Since then, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has won the award for four consecutive months.
Tottenham sit second on the Premier League form table for February after picking up nine points for the month.
Manchester United topped the total with 10 points, with Erik ten Hag’s men winning three and drawing one of their league games this month.
Tottenham have won three of their four games in February to move up to fourth in the table
Spurs ended the month by beating Chelsea 2-0 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Stellini has said he expects Conte to return to the club this week as he continues his recovery.
Marco Silva’s Fulham have also finished the month unbeaten, registering two wins and two draws this month.
The three wins this month have moved Spurs four points clear of fifth-place Newcastle, who are two games down. as both clubs fight for Champions League football next season.
Speaking after the win over Chelsea, Stellini said he hopes Conte will return this week.
Stellini will remain in charge when Tottenham take on Sheffield United in the FA Cup on Wednesday.