The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust has called on Spurs chairman Daniel Levy to keep his promises following the departure of Antonio Conte. This comes after Tottenham Hotspur parted ways with manager Antonio Conte on Sunday, with Cristian Stellini serving as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
In a statement issued it said: “No supporter wants to see their manager leave during the season as it usually means something has gone wrong,” they said.
“Despite the difficulties faced this season, THST would like to place on record its appreciation to Antonio for his hard work during his 18 months in charge, particularly last season and during that tremendous encounter.
“We also recognize the personal challenges Antonio has faced this season and wish him the best as he continues to recover from his operation.
“This game will not surprise Spurs fans. We are aware that many fans have grown tired of the football associated with the manager, while others felt he was the right man to take the club forward and will be sad to see him go.
“The Club’s board of directors must now have a clear strategy about what and who comes next, and they need to tell the fans of this Club what that plan is. THST has repeatedly asked for this, and the fans deserve it.”
“Less than two years ago, at the end of the 2020/21 season in May, Chairman Daniel Levy told his supporters that the club would focus on recruiting a head coach saying they were ‘well aware of the need to select to someone whose values reflect those of our great Club and to return to play football with the style that characterizes us’.
“Many fans will feel that the appointments of Nuno Espirito Santo and then Antonio Conte following the José Mourinho spell do not reflect the promises made earlier.
In the same statement, Mr. Levy said: “I feel like we’ve lost sight of some key priorities and what’s really in our DNA.”
“As another trophyless season comes to a close, we urge the Club Board to re-evaluate those priorities before appointing a manager the entire fan base will back and build a team that can truly compete for national and European honours, while respecting the traditions of our football club.
“We, and all Spurs fans, will now stand behind Cristian Stellini, Ryan Mason and the coaching staff, to push the team to secure another top four finish.”
Meanwhile, the club’s board will begin the search for a fourth permanent manager since Pochettino left in 2019. These are some of the possible options:
MAURICIO POCHETINO
Pochettino was sacked by Tottenham as the team’s fortunes declined following their remarkable rise capped by an unlikely Champions League final appearance in 2019. The fans would certainly like him, although chairman Daniel Levy could have moved on.
JULIAN NAGELSMANN
Nagelsmann, 35, is available after being sacked by Bayern Munich on Friday. He is young and ambitious and could have his eye on bigger jobs, potentially at Real Madrid if Carlo Ancelotti leaves at the end of the season.
ROBERT OF ZERBI
An Italian like Conte, De Zerbi has taken Brighton to new levels since joining as Graham Potter’s replacement in September. The team have lost just one of their last 13 matches after adjusting to De Zerbi’s bold style of play and are in a good position to qualify for Europe for the first time.
(With AP inputs)