Gary Neville says Antonio Conte would always stink at Tottenham Hotspur

Gary Neville has insisted he was not surprised by Antonio Conte’s departure from Tottenham Hotspur.

The Italian’s departure was announced during the international break following his now infamous verbal attack on his own players following a 3-3 draw against Southampton.

Conte has been linked with Manchester United in the past – something Neville has regularly expressed disapproval of the idea.

Ahead of Tottenham’s confrontation with Everton on Monday Night Football, Neville said the Italian has a track record of “stinking” towards the end of his time at clubs.

Neville told Sky Sports: “Conte would always do really well at Spurs, achieve what they wanted, and then stink at the end.

Gary Neville says Conte’s ‘track record’ of ‘stinking’ at clubs is why he didn’t want the Italian to take the Manchester United job

“That’s why I didn’t want him at United, because he has a track record of it.

“What has happened in recent months is a confrontation that was not necessary. They are a challenge for the top four, could have finished third had they beaten Southampton, which is where Tottenham are supposed to be.

“I never saw why this had to be a confrontation. The locker room got tired of the Conte way, Conte got tired of the players, it was a mess at the end, that’s an inevitable end.

“It’s no surprise he went this way. He’ll go to the next interview and say he did a great job. They (Tottenham) are now picking up the pieces with his number two.”

Neville thinks Conte should have been happy with how Spurs have performed this season

Conte left Tottenham at a time when they are battling for the top four with Manchester United and Newcastle.

Cristian Stellini – who filled in for the Italian as he recovered from gallbladder surgery – has returned to the hotseat until the end of the season.

The interim manager has a tough run of games until the end of the season, with games away to Newcastle and at home to Man United both this month.