Antonio Conte hit out at his Tottenham players by calling them “selfish” and not wanting to play “under pressure” after they threw away a 3-1 lead at Southampton; Conte departs after 16 months in charge, with Spurs again set to end the season without a trophy
Spurs have announced Conte’s assistant Cristian Stellini will be acting head coach for the rest of the season, with Ryan Mason assistant head coach.
Daniel Levy said in a statement: “We have 10 Premier League games remaining and we have a fight on our hands for a Champions League place. We all need to pull together. Everyone has to step up to ensure the highest possible finish for our club and amazing, loyal supporters.”
Conte, whose contract was set to expire at the end of the season, told Sky Sports after the 3-3 draw: “I’m not used to seeing this type of situation. I see a lot of selfish players and I don’t see a team.”
He added in his post-match press conference: “We are 11 players that go into the pitch. I see selfish players, I see players that don’t want to help each other and don’t put their heart [in].”
Asked to explain Tottenham’s collapse at Southampton, Conte continued: “Because they are used to it here, they are used to it. They don’t play for something important.