Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte is expected to leave the club this week, according to reports.
The Italian tactician unleashed a furious rant after his side relinquished a two-goal lead late on against Southampton as James Ward-Prowse converted a penalty in second-half stoppage time. A point in the weekend clash meant that they failed to strengthen their hold on the final Champions League place with Newcastle United and Liverpool breathing down their necks.
The players and staff have received days off during the start of the international break in light of their St Mary's collapse with Conte flying to Italy. After the restart, Spurs will be preparing to visit Everton at Goodison Park as part of Monday Night Football on April 3 (8pm).
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According to Matt Law from the Telegraph, there was still no confirmation on Monday as chairman Daniel Levy mulled over his next move. But as per the outlet's information, it has been said that the chief is now "seeking the opinion of close confidants" over the situation following Conte's comments.
It is believed that a departure will be agreed this week and former midfielder Ryan Mason will be put in temporary charge until the end of the season - in time for their trip to Merseyside to take on the Blues.
Conte is out of contract in the summer and it was already widely believed the final months of the campaign would be his last in the hot seat after succeeding Jose Mourinho. However, following his outburst on Saturday it has been reported that it would be "impossible" to return.
Another option, it has been claimed, is to use the three-week break to try and lure out-of-work managers such as Luis Enrique, Thomas Tuchel or Mauricio Pochettino. However, convincing them could be "difficult" before the summer.
“I think it’s better to go into the problem, we are not a team," started Conte during the intense scrutiny of his squad on Saturday. "We are 11 players that go into the pitch. I see selfish players, players that don’t want to help each other and don’t put their heart [into it]. This season compared to last, now we are worse in this aspect. When you are not a team you cannot improve."
The Spurs chairman spoke with the former Chelsea and Inter Milan head coach and it was reiterated that the criticism was directed at the playing squad and not the club or its hierarchy.
The bookmakers have been taking odds on the next manager at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Mason, who has had a previous caretaker spell in north London, has quickly seen his odds slashed to favourite.
Liverpool beat their Champions League rivals on the eve of the World Cup break in November and they're due to play the corresponding fixture at the end of next month.
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