Tottenham players have reportedly grown tired of Antonio Conte’s training methods as the Italian continues to be linked with an exit from the club. The Tottenham hierarchy is said to be keen to avoid another chaotic manager hunt and supposedly has a lengthy list of targets under consideration.
Despite being in fourth place in the Premier League and continuing to participate in Europe, many expect Conte to be on his way at the end of the season with fans broadly failing to take to the former Chelsea boss. There is also a ‘broad sense’ among the squad that the 53-year-old won’t stay beyond the summer.
According to The Athletic, many of Spurs’ stars ‘will not miss’ Conte if he makes way, having grown tired of his tactics and intensity in training. The uncertainty around Conte’s situation is causing problems as players weigh up what their future could look like at the club.
Furthermore, the unexciting brand of football that Tottenham is playing this season has left fans frustrated as they enter the final stretch of the season.
Conte has been absent from the touchline for most of the past five weeks as he recovers from gallbladder surgery. He has remained in charge from Italy while assistant Cristian Stellini handles matters in north London, although Conte will return for Wednesday’s Champions League clash with AC Milan.
The Tottenham hierarchy is considering a number of candidates to replace Conte, with Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel being two of the front-runners. However, the report adds that high-flying Brentford boss Thomas Frank and Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper also have admirers in north London.
Pochettino, who had a successful stint with Tottenham before moving to Paris Saint-Germain, seems the natural replacement after his love affair with Spurs fans during his first spell at the club. Meanwhile, Chelsea’s downward spiral after Tuchel’s departure has enhanced the German’s reputation in the Premier League.
Frank and Cooper are both earning respect of their own. Frank led Brentford to 13th place in their first-ever Premier League season last term, while their active 12-game unbeaten run is unmatched by anyone in the division, putting them well on course for a top-half finish this campaign. Cooper, on the other hand, was under pressure several months ago, but Forest responded to rumours on the 43-year-old’s future by handing him a new contract. The Tricky Trees spent heavily last summer, but Cooper has worked wonders to build a cohesive unit that sits four points clear of relegation danger.
The uncertainty around the future of the manager is causing problems as Tottenham looks to make crucial decisions about the future of the club, including the future of star striker Harry Kane. It remains to be seen who will take charge next season, but Tottenham fans will be hoping for a successful campaign under their new manager.