Tottenham have no immediate plans to sack Antonio Conte, but chairman Daniel Levy is ready to intervene if he thinks the club’s Champions League hopes are imploding.
Currently, Levy will leave the club’s operational soccer staff, headed by sporting director Fabio Paratici, to handle the future of the head coaching job amid growing internal scrutiny over Conte’s role.
The Italian manager himself admitted that Tottenham’s board may even be considering ending his tenure as boss following the team’s weak Champions League exit to AC Milan on Wednesday night, a development which means the period of the Spurs without a major trophy will be extended to a 14 year.
As Sportsmail revealed on Monday, Conte is expected to leave the north London club before the start of next season, when his current contract expires with no appetite from the former Chelsea or Tottenham boss to activate a 12-month option to extend his term. deal
Tottenham have no immediate plans to sack Antonio Conte despite his dismal form
But Daniel Levy (R) is ready to act if he thinks his Champions League hopes are imploding.
And for the time being, Conte is expected to be in charge of Saturday’s home game against Nottingham Forest with the club’s football operation determined to keep the 53-year-old despite uncertainty over his long-term future.
Despite the reality of ending yet another season without a trophy, Tottenham currently sit fourth in the Premier League with a good chance of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
Levy doesn’t want to make any decisions that could prove detrimental to the team’s chances of finishing in the top four given the financial benefits at stake.
However, there is a feeling in Tottenham that the Spurs supremo is prepared to take matters into his own hands if he feels that keeping Conte in charge is hurting the team’s chances of finishing in the top four.
A loss to Forest this weekend could give Levy a decision to make.
Tottenham won’t face a huge compensation bill if they cut ties with Conte before his contract expires in June.
The bill for sacking Conte, who earns £15m a year, will not exceed £5m.
Because the 12-month option to extend Conte’s contract rests with Tottenham: they’re not required to pay their head coach the full amount for that extra year.
However, work on a succession plan for Conte has already begun behind the scenes.
Mauricio Pochettino, Steve Cooper, Roberto De Zerbi, Olivier Glasner and Luis Enrique are among the managers who are options for Tottenham.
Paratici has been heavily involved in identifying potential candidates to replace Conte, should they part ways.
But even his future at Tottenham is uncertain as Paratici awaits news of his appeal after being found guilty of financial irregularities in Italy in connection with alleged crimes during his time at Juventus.
Pochettino’s possible return to Spurs will excite fans and perhaps help the club persuade talisman Harry Kane, who won’t decide how he intends to proceed with his future before next season until he speaks to Levy in the summer, to commit to another new contract. .
However, there is no unanimous support for the Argentine’s re-election, although Levy is understood to be among those who see the merits of a possible return for Pochettino.
Conte’s likely departure will help placate a handful of players at Tottenham who have grown tired of the Italian’s intense regimen, and the manager’s penchant for changing the team’s training schedule is a particular complaint.
There is also concern about the lack of opportunities for youth players since Conte’s appointment in November 2021.
Spurs were knocked out of the Champions League on Wednesday, being knocked out by AC Milan.
The club is tempted by a reunion with Mauricio Pochettino that could convince Kane to stay
Signs of hostility towards the team’s manager were amplified after the midweek Champions League exit against AC Milan when Richarlison questioned Conte’s man-management.
“I didn’t understand, I was playing well, we won against Chelsea and West Ham and suddenly I was on the bench.” I played five minutes against Wolves, I asked why and nobody told me why,” said the Brazilian.
“They asked me to do a fitness test in the gym and they told me that I would start if I passed it. And I was on the bench, there are things that I cannot understand.
“There was no explanation again, let’s see what (Conte) tells us, but I’m not stupid, I’m a professional who works hard every day and I want to play.”