Zlatan Ibrahimovic jumps to the defence of Tottenham manager Antonio Conte
‘Sometimes you pay to be yourself’: Zlatan Ibrahimovic leaps to Antonio Conte’s defense after the Tottenham manager’s scathing assessment of his players after a 3-3 draw with Southampton
Zlatan Ibrahimovic jumped into the defense of Tottenham manager Antonio Conte.
Conte was highly critical of his Tottenham players last weekend after they gave up a 3-1 lead to draw 3-3 against Southampton.
The Tottenham boss accused his players of being selfish in an extraordinary tirade after the game.
Conte’s future at Tottenham is uncertain as the club looks to enter into talks with Julian Nagelsmann, who was recently sacked by Bayern Munich.
However, Ibrahimovic praised Conte for speaking his mind.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has jumped into the defense of Tottenham manager Antonio Conte
AC Milan striker Ibrahimovic praised Conte for not being afraid to speak his mind
speaking to sky sports, Ibrahimovic said: ‘Everyone works in their own way. Someone tries to be an actor, pretends. Someone is being themselves, someone is trying to be perfect.
“I believe in being yourself and sometimes you pay for it because that’s not what people want to hear. I prefer to be myself and express myself how I think and how I want. We all work in our own way.
The AC Milan striker Ibrahimovic has never played with Conte before, but has faced his teams in the past.
After the draw against Southampton, Conte said: “They are used to it here. They don’t play for something important. They don’t want to play under pressure. They don’t want to play under stress. It’s easy this way. Tottenham’s story is this.
‘I said I wanted to see the fire and I haven’t seen it. I said I want to see the fire in their eyes, in their hearts. I want to see the right spirit. Not only in training, but on the field because here the difference is made.
Conte launched an extraordinary tirade after Tottenham’s draw with Southampton
Spurs blew a 3-1 lead to draw at the Saints and extend their winless road streak
‘Until now, I try to hide the situation, but there are 10 games left and some people think we can fight. Fight for what? With this spirit, this attitude, this commitment? That? For seventh, eighth, tenth place?
‘I’m not used to being in this position. I’m really upset, and everyone has to take responsibility. Not only the club, the coach and the staff. The players have to get involved in this situation because it is time to change this situation if Tottenham wants to change.
‘If they want to continue like this, they can change coaches, many coaches, but the situation cannot change. Believe me.’
Asked if uncertainty about his own future is part of the problem, Conte said: “You’re finding an alibi, another alibi.” He tries to find an excuse for the players. OK, he continues to do this, to find an excuse for the players. You only do this!
‘Excuses for the players. “Maybe it’s my future, then we lost confidence, they lost their spirit, they lost being a team.” excuses excuses Excuse me. Try to protect them every time. Bah. Come on come on. We are professionals.
Tottenham wants to hold talks with former Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann
The club pays us a lot of money. Players receive money. I receive money and I don’t look for excuses and I don’t show courage or sense of responsibility. For me this is unacceptable because for me it is the first time in my career that I see a situation like this.
“So far I couldn’t change it and compared to last season the situation has gotten worse.”
Nagelsmann is among the candidates to take over if Tottenham decide to sack Conte.
The 35-year-old was shocked by Bayern’s decision to sack him and Tottenham were told during an earlier approach that he reportedly has a soft spot for the north London club.