Journalist reveals how uncertainty over Conte’s future is affecting Spurs players

The Athletic’s Charlie Eccleshare has revealed that the uncertainty over Antonio Conte’s future is affecting the Tottenham squad, with many players unsure whether the Italian will be in charge of the club next season.

Tottenham have improved considerably since Conte replaced Nuno Espirito Santo almost six months ago. However, the Italian’s short spell at Spurs has already had more than its fair share of ups and downs. 

Reports from France have emerged this week suggesting that Conte is prepared to jump ship to Paris Saint-Germain and has offered himself to the Ligue 1 giants on a two-year contract (Le Parisien). 

Eccleshare has now claimed that Conte having a short-term contract at Tottenham and his unwillingness to commit to the project at the club is not helping the players.

The journalist pointed to the Italian’s post-match press conference after Spurs’ loss at Turf Moor in February, where he suggested that he might not be the right man to help turn the club’s fortunes around (Football.London).

Eccleshare said on The Athletic’s The View from The Lane Podcast: “Antonio Conte is part of the problem here, not just tactically and strategically.

“If Rangnick’s status at United is a part of the problem, then Conte having a short contract, which may or may not be his choice, is giving the players an out.

“This is something that at various points of the season, I’ve been told has been a bit unsettling for the players.

“Think back to the Burnley meltdown, a lot of the players woke up to reports saying we don’t know if the manager will be there next season, and the short-term contract means that we certainly don’t know beyond next season.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Even if Conte has not made up his mind with regards to next season, he needs to come out and dismiss the PSG rumours out of hand in his next press conference. The last thing the players need as they look to chase down Arsenal for fourth place with five games left in the season is the distraction of not knowing what the future holds.

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