Former Everton striker Richarlison has emphatically denied claims he was a rebellious figure in the sacking of Antonio Conte - blasting speculating reports as a "lie".
Conte's 17-month spell at White Hart Lane was ended by mutual consent on Monday night, in the aftermath of his explosive rant after the 3-3 draw at Southampton the previous weekend. In his post-match press conference at St Mary's, the former Chelsea and Juventus coach labelled his players as "selfish", before questioning the direction of the club and their failure to win a trophy since 2008.
In the days since his exit, a journalist from Argentinian broadcaster TyC accused the Brazilian, along with team-mate Cristian Romero, of presenting the club's hierarchy with an ultimatum about Conte's future.
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However, taking to Twitter on Thursday night, the 25-year-old refused such claims, tweeting: "Questioning and criticizing me as a player for my performance is part of football and I got it. However, telling lies about me, I don't accept! I’ve always had a lot of respect for Conte and for all my coaches.
"He helped me a lot in my coming to the Spurs and, whenever we had a problem (even if it was public) we solved it based on conversation and professionalism — and this he can confirm.
"I wasn't a mutiny leader against him, it was quite the opposite. I'm sorry I didn't deliver as much as he expected of me and I didn't do enough for him to stay. When he left, I sent him a message thanking him for everything and wishing him the best cause that's what he deserves!"
He added: "On the other hand, the journalist responsible for this awful lie did not even do the least which would be talking to my PR or listening to me. Bad professional and bad character! And shame on you, Tyc Sports!"
Richarlison and Conte appeared to develop an indifferent relationship during their shared time at Tottenham, with the Brazilian largely frustrated by his lack of starts after his mega-money from Everton last summer.
Most recently, the forward described his debut season in North London as "sh*t" and questioned Conte's decision to leave him on the bench in the wake of their Champions League elimination at the hands of Italian champions AC Milan.
"I didn't understand," said Richarlison after Spurs' 0-0 draw with the Rossoneri earlier this month, a game in which he started on the bench. "I was playing well, we won against Chelsea and West Ham and suddenly I was on the bench. I played five minutes against Wolves, asked the reason and no-one told me why.
"Tuesday they asked me to take a fitness test in the gym and told me I was going to start Wednesday if I passed it. And I was on the bench.
"There are things I can't understand. There was no explanation again, let's see what he [Conte] will tell us Thursday but I'm not silly, I'm a professional that works hard every day and I want to play.
Tottenham travel to Goodison Park on Monday night to face Everton in their first Premier League fixture of the post-Conte era, with the Italian's former assistant, Cristian Stellini, appointed as manager on an interim basis until the end of the current campaign.
For the Brazilian, it will be his first return to the home of the Blues since sealing a £50m switch to North London last summer, where he spent four years after signing from Watford in the summer of 2018.
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