After 16 months in command, Antonio Conte has departed Tottenham Hotspur by mutual consent, the club announced on Sunday. Cristian Stellini, Conte’s assistant, has been designated acting head coach for the remainder of the season, with Ryan Mason named Stellini’s assistant.
“We have 10 Premier League games remaining and a fight on our hands for a Champions League place,” stated chairman Daniel Levy in a statement issued Sunday evening. We must all work together. Everyone must pitch in to secure the best possible finish for our team and our incredible, devoted fans.”
Sources have told that Conte had grown frustrated at what he perceived was a difference in strategy with the club reluctant to commit to the radical overhaul of the team he believed was necessary.
This concern had been expressed privately on multiple occasions, but Conte could not hide his anger at the players after they allowed a 3-1 lead to slip at Southampton, conceding twice in the final 15 minutes to draw the game 3-3 just prior to the international break.
Spurs will now hunt for their ninth manager since winning the League Cup against Chelsea in 2008. Tottenham was interested in former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel, who was open to coaching in the Premier League after being fired by the Blues in September, but Bayern Munich rushed in and brought the German to the Allianz Arena before any substantive talks could take place.