Jamie Carragher has torn into Tottenham boss Antonio Conte, claiming the Italian "wants to be sacked" after his remarkable 10-minute rant following Spurs' 3-3 draw at Southampton.
The former Chelsea and Inter Milan schemer left supporters stunned on Saturday evening after he launched into an extraordinary blast that targeted his own players and even owner Daniel Levy. He claimed that members of his squad were “selfish”, whilst suggesting that the North London’s side “history” has contributed to their wildly inconsistent form this term.
But Liverpool legend Carragher, now often found on Sky Sports' football coverage, made clear that he believes Arsenal's improvement under Mikel Arteta this season means Conte hasn't got a leg to stand on when pointing the finger of blame for his side's performances and results at others.
Speaking at St Mary’s following the draw with the rock-bottom Saints, Conte let rip, declaring about his players: “They don't play for something important yeah. They don't want to play under pressure, they don't want to play under stress.
“It is easy in this way. Tottenham's story is this. 20 years there is the owner and they never won something but why? The fault is only for the club, or for every manager that stay here.”
Carragher gave his thoughts on the Italian’s brutal message and claimed that he is angling for Levy to fire him before their next outing. Quoting a video of Conte’s press conference, he said on social media: “Conte wants to be sacked in this international break. Spurs should just put him out of his misery and do it tonight.”
Former Watford striker Troy Deeney then got involved in the discussion around Conte by replying: “Interested to know if you disagree with what’s being said tho Jamie?? Agree with your point btw.”
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Carragher claimed that Conte has only made himself look silly considering the position that North London rivals Arsenal find themselves in this season. He said: “His point about Spurs not winning for a long time is right, but you don’t speak about your own club like that. Especially when you’re getting paid fortunes by them!
“The improvement in Arsenal this season after finishing above them last season kills a lot of his arguments.”
It increasingly appears to be a case of when and not if the Italian will leave the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. He is under contract until the end of the current campaign and it now appears highly unlikely that talks over a renewal will be held.
There is now an opportunity to make a change over the coming weeks with domestic action set to take a backseat for international matches. Conte also hit out at claims that uncertainty over his future is distracting the players. .
He said: “You are finding an alibi, another alibi. You try to find an excuse for the players. OK, continue to do this, to find an excuse for the players. You do only this! You do only this.
“Excuses for the players. 'But the players, maybe, my future, then we lost confidence, they lost spirit, they lost being a team'. Excuses. Excuses. Excuse. Try to protect them every time.”
