Tottenham, just days removed from beating league leaders Manchester City, a win that potentially signaled significant improvement, followed it up on Wednesday with a 1-0 loss to last place Burnley. That stinging defeat, which marks four losses out of five for the club, saw the team squander an opportunity to move within four points of the top four. It also resulted in manager Antonio Conte questioning his own future after the match. The frustrated Italian did not hold back, though he was composed, speaking about the decisions the club must make moving forward.
“I need to talk to the club,” Conte said. “Tottenham have to make an assessment about the club, about me. We need to find the best solution. I can’t accept to keep losing. I’m sorry.”
After his side-pitch interview, he kept going when speaking in his post-match press conference, questioning if he is even as good of a manager as people think.
“Maybe I’m not so good. Yes, I’m not so good,” he said. “I think Tottenham called me to improve the situation. I’m too honest. But I’m too honest to close my eyes. You understand?
“I hate to lose. And we lost, and I repeat, four games in the last five games.”
What brutal honesty from the boss after what’s been a horrible run. Tottenham have lost nine league games this season and have just 31 goals in 24 matches. Three losses to Chelsea lately can be excused as two were in the EFL Cup and the Blues are simply better. But Spurs have lost back-to-back league games at home and have conceded 13 goals in their last seven league games. A sacking at this point might be a bit harsh, but it’s clearly on the mind of the manager and likely those above him.
“I come here to help the club but in this moment it is very difficult because I am not happy in the club and for me the situation is very frustrating,” Conte said.
Their top four chances are slowly dwindling, and the club now must decide if Conte is the man to get them where they want to be or if a change is in the best immediate interest.