The Daily Mail have revealed that senior members of the Tottenham squad had pleaded with Antonio Conte to release the shackles a few months ago but the Italian refused to abandon his defensive approach.
The report states that Conte gathered his Tottenham players at Hotspur Way towards the end of January to have a heart-to-heart regarding their poor run of form.
However, after the players arrived, the Italian reportedly walked out, telling the squad that he wanted them to find the solution among themselves.
The report adds that many players felt that the performances and results had been hampered by Conte’s defensive tactics.
Some senior players allegedly pleaded with the 53-year-old to take the handbrake off and to allow the team to be more expansive in their attacking play but the recently departed Spurs head coach refused.
The Mail also explain that Conte also made the players run 2km before matches, which left them baffled as they felt they should have been reserving energy for the game.
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The fact that none of the Tottenham players have reacted publicly to Conte’s sacking is quite telling, particularly given that around half the squad were signed during the last three windows when the Italian was in charge.
It suggests that he has completely lost the dressing room even before his tirade a week and a half ago.
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