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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Nathan Ridley

Jamie O'Hara sends stern warning to Daniel Levy over "world-class" Antonio Conte

Ex-Tottenham Hotspur star Jamie O'Hara has warned chairman Daniel Levy that he'll face fan protests if Antonio Conte quits.

The Spurs boss admitted in an astonishing post-match interview following their dismal 1-0 defeat at Burnley on Wednesday that he was "ready to go" just three-and-a-half months after being appointed.

Conte recently bemoaned the club's 'weak' business in the January transfer window, whilst also conceding that the current squad are not at the standard of their Premier League rivals'.

Now, O'Hara has warned Levy about the potential fallout of the Italian walking away and how his early departure would also put off fellow "world-class" managers.

"If Conte goes, it's a disaster for Spurs because he's the best manager we've had in so many years - probably the best manager we've had in the Premier League years and we've broken him already," the former Tottenham midfielder told Grosvenor Sport.

Join the debate! Who should replace Conte if he leaves? Comment your pick below.

Conte admitted that he was ready to leave after Tottenham lost at Burnley (Getty Images)

"He's only been there three-and-a-half months and he looks broken. So, if he leaves, there's gonna be protests and a massive fallout with Daniel Levy.

"I guess all the fans will want Daniel Levy out, and that's been a thing for a while. The issue with that is Daniel Levy ain't gonna leave, I just can't see Daniel Levy leaving the football club.

"He's a businessman, he's turned Tottenham into a world-renowned business with a £1billion stadium, so I just can't see him walking away from what he sees, and the fans will have to suffer that situation.

"Someone else will probably come in but it ain't gonna be Antonio Conte's standard. I think it didn't think it put [managers] off when Mourinho got sacked because Mourinho wasn't doing great and I think we got Mourinho at the wrong time of his career.

"But Antonio Conte, we got at the peak of his powers, at the peak of his moments as a manager and we've almost broken him as a world-class manager.

"And I think it will put off every other world-class manager, who will then go, 'nah, I ain't going to Spurs, I ain't going there, no chance'. It's a graveyard for managers."

While a coach of Conte's calibre seems unobtainable mid-season, the question over who could be next in the Spurs hot seat still looms - not that O'Hara will be interested until next season.

"I don't care! If we lose Antonio Conte, I swear I don't care," he vowed. "Honestly, we've got the best manager we've ever had, I don't wanna be asking questions about who's gonna come in.

O'Hara says he won't watch Tottenham this season if Conte quits (talkSPORT)

"No way, I don't care. I won't watch Spurs again this season if he walks. I'm being serious, I'll have had enough of Spurs.

"It's ridiculous to even talk about having a new manager when you've just got the best manager we've ever had and three-and-a-half months later, he wants to walk away."

If he's still in charge, Conte's team face Leeds United at Elland Road on Saturday, with their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League fading quickly.

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