Tottenham stars 'want Antonio Conte sacked now' after extraordinary Southampton rant

Antonio Conte is under increasing pressure at Tottenham after exploding in his post-Southampton press conference following Saturday's 3-3 draw at St Mary's.

Posted Monday, March 20, 2023 by Express.co.uk

Tottenham boss Antonio Conte attacked his players after the 3-3 draw at Southampton

Some of Tottenham's first-team players would allegedly welcome the immediate sacking of Antonio Conte following the Italian's explosive attack on his squad after their disastrous 3-3 draw at Southampton on Saturday. Spurs were well on course to secure a vital three points in the race for Champions League football courtesy of goals from Pedro Porro, Harry Kane and Ivan Perisic before a sudden defensive collapse as Theo Walcott and James Ward-Prowse struck two late goals to rescue a point for the hosts.

The gutting result and lack of character left Conte furious following the full-time whistle, where tensions boiled over following weeks of frustration behind the scenes in north London.

According to The Guardian, Conte's savage rant did not sit well with some of Tottenham's players and some of them would now be onboard with his immediate dismissal.

The report adds that a dressing-room source says the players feel Conte is now "going or gone," indicating we could now be approaching breaking point.

There is also growing doubt as to whether Tottenham's players are now fully behind their current manager, whose contract expires at the end of the season.

Jamie Carragher has since declared that Conte's actions scream of a man that is now desperate to be sacked.

Tottenham are in fact expected to stand by their current boss until his contract expires in June but the situation is now becoming increasingly delicate.

Conte accused his players of being selfish and claimed they were a team of individuals as opposed to a group committed to the cause.

“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),” said an animated Conte, as he exploded in front of reporters.

“Why? Because they are used to it here, they are used to it. They don’t play for something important. They don’t want to play under pressure, they don’t want to play under stress.

“It is easy in this way. Tottenham’s story is this. Twenty years there is the owner and they never won something but why? The fault is only for the club, or for every manager that stays here. I have seen the managers that Tottenham had on the bench.”

Mauricio Pochettino is believed to be in line to return to Spurs this summer, although other candidates are in the frame ahead of a potential managerial search.

Brighton's Roberto De Zerbi is among those of admiration while Thomas Tuchel is another strong candidate that could throw his name into the mix.

“I see only 11 players that play for themselves,” Conte continued.

“There are 10 games to go and some people think we can fight. Fight for what with this spirit, this attitude, this commitment? What? For seventh, eighth, 10th place? I am not used to this position.

“I’m really upset and everyone has to take their responsibility. Not only the club, the manager and the staff, the players have to be involved in this situation because it is time to change this situation if Tottenham want to change.

“If they want to continue in this way, they can change the manager, a lot of managers, but the situation cannot change. Believe me.”