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Charlie Bennett

Simon Jordan says Newcastle United's Champions League bid tougher because of Tottenham decision

Simon Jordan believes sacking Antonio Conte has boosted Tottenham Hotspur’s top-four chances. An explosive post-match interview after Spurs threw away a two-goal lead against Southampton proved the Italian’s final act as manager.

Conte took aim at his players and the club’s mentality while firing a thinly-veiled swipe at the decision-makers in North London. There was even a defence for former managers who have failed to deliver silverware at Tottenham.

Spurs ultimately pulled the trigger on the 53-year-old, with assistants Cristian Stellini and Ryan Mason in the dugout for the rest of the season. While some Newcastle United supporters rejoiced at the rookie pairing's opportunity, ex-Crystal Palace owner Jordan insisted anyone - including Looney Tunes character Elmer Fudd - would be a better fit than Conte.

READ MORE: Manchester United injury scare could mean St James' Park audition for Newcastle transfer target

“I think Spurs have a better chance this season getting inside the top four with anybody but Antonio Conte,” he told talkSPORT. “You could put Elmer Fudd in there and you'll get a better outcome because the likelihood of players wanting to respond to Conte was probably zero.

“Stellini got a couple of decent results. He's not the solution long-term but you're not looking at it long-term, you’re looking at short-term… you’re looking at 10 games.

“In an ideal world, you'd be able to find a ready-made (manager) to slot into place. Whether that becomes available to them with Nagelsmann, I don't know, that's a different discussion. But right now, the climate of the football club was so bad between the players and Conte, that there was very little point (in keeping him).”

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