Antonio Conte appears to have aimed a subtle dig at Daniel Levy, casting doubt over the ambition of staff at Tottenham. The 53-year-old parted ways with the Lilywhites in March after a fiery rant about the club proved to be the final straw.
Spurs blew a 3-1 lead against Southampton after James Ward-Prowse netted a penalty in the dying embers of the tie. Conte called his players 'unacceptable' and 'selfish', claiming that there is a rotten culture and that the club needs to 'change this situation' imminently.
"I think that it's the right moment to speak because I think that after this performance, for me this is unacceptable," said the Italian. "We are winning 3-1, in control of the game and you are able to concede two goals and to risk, because also Fraser made a fantastic save in one situation.
"I think it's much better to go into the problem, because the problem is that for another time we showed that we are not a team. 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."
Then, Conte concluded the press conference by suggesting that Levy should take some blame for Tottenham's misfortunes, highlighting the sheer number of managers who've enjoyed little to no success. The former Chelsea boss added: "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."
Since parting ways with Tottenham in March, Conte has remained coy on his time in north London. But, in an interview with Italian publication Calciomercato, he broke his silence.
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As quoted by Football Italia, Conte said: "The last experience, like all of them really, had some things that were positive and some less so. The experience was wonderful, we did the maximum possible and gave all that we had.
"When I arrived, the team was in eighth or ninth place, yet we qualified for the Champions League. Then this season, with the side in fourth position, I decided we should part ways with Tottenham. Some had decided to settle for less."
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