After the thunder and lightning of Antonio Conte’s outburst, by which he accused Tottenham’s gamers of being “egocentric,” the membership’s board are digging by means of the particles and looking for a path ahead based mostly on pragmatism quite than emotion.

The workers and squad have been off for 2 days, a break that was pre-scheduled whatever the consequence in opposition to Southampton. It has been the proper tonic to the fury flung by the top coach: permitting Conte to settle down, the hierarchy to calculate subsequent steps, and affording gamers a breather from what has been an sad atmosphere.

With Champions League soccer on the road and solely 10 video games left, chairman Daniel Levy is attempting to resolve the equation of whether or not sticking or twisting with the Italian is a better assure of securing high 4.

Conte maybe supplied the reply himself on Saturday: “Some individuals suppose we will struggle. Struggle for what with this spirit, this angle, this dedication? What? For seventh, eighth, tenth place?”

If that’s the head coach’s stage of perception in what this staff can now obtain below him, are the gamers minded to show him incorrect? Does Levy have credence they might need to?

The gamers’ response

Even earlier than Conte’s sturdy dressing down of the gamers, a number of of them had been in contact with Mauricio Pochettino urging him to return to the membership. There was disillusionment on the lack of on-pitch identification, progressive soccer and improvement of expertise for the reason that Argentine was sacked in November 2019.

Conte’s public rebuke has not gone down nicely within the dressing room. Whereas gamers settle for duty for performances, the big sentiment is the top coach’s act on Saturday was a case of self-preservation. The squad are conscious – and have been since January – that Conte is not going to be staying at Tottenham upon the expiry of his contract this summer season.

As one participant’s agent informed Sky Sports activities Information: “Each time he talks, it is as if he is doing the lads and Spurs a favour by nonetheless being right here. He questioned their angle and dedication when it is clear for a very long time that he does not even need to be on the membership.”

Conte prompt the uncertainty round his future has been used as an “alibi” for sub-par performances from the gamers.

A counter has been that essentially the most financially-backed head coach in Tottenham’s historical past has didn’t implement a progressive method that may be purchased into by the squad and supporters, whereas conceding essentially the most targets of the highest 12.

The membership introduced in 10 recruits this season alone for a mixed price in extra of £150m. Has Conte accomplished his finest to extract the products from this group, or is the message how significantly better he’s than them?

The membership’s response

The top coach having to make clear that his rant was solely aimed on the gamers and never the hierarchy was instructive. Conte, who was compensated by Chelsea following an extended authorized battle over his sacking, doesn’t need to be accused of bringing Tottenham into disrepute.

Whereas the membership accepted this place – the total transcript helps Conte’s stance that his solely goal was the squad – they’re severely unimpressed by the pressure, implications, and timing of his tirade.

There are extra environment friendly methods to evoke gamers than publicly skewering them, even with out factoring in Harry Kane’s contract scenario. One of many foremost ideas on the membership is the place they might have been this season with out England’s captain – his affect and influence is extra vital than the top coach’s.

Spurs have identified Conte desires out and so they have been very delicate to the powerful months he has navigated on a private stage.

They’re additionally sensible to his behavior of scorching the earth as he exits – however that often comes after he has delivered success.

Tottenham pay Conte a wage of £15m a 12 months owing to his standing as a winner – Spurs have regressed below him.

A fast peek throughout north London and the work Mikel Arteta has accomplished on and off the pitch speaks volumes. Conte may flag Tottenham’s tradition downside, however he has no funding in truly remedying it.

Did Conte have a degree?

Given the historical past of the ‘Lads, it is Tottenham’ line and the ‘Spursy’ idea, there cannot be a whole dismissal of Conte’s factors.

However by insisting his verbal volley was solely lobbed within the path of the gamers, Conte’s rant lacks advantage. They don’t dictate recruitment coverage and haven’t been answerable for failing to promote on the proper time for large cash, selling staleness. It’s not the squad that appoints head coaches or determines the path of the membership.

By absolving himself and the hierarchy of any blame for the present state of play, Conte’s phrases fall flat.

On this context, it’s price remembering Spurs had a head coach who took them to a Champions League last regardless of accidents, stadium upheaval and 0 squad funding. Pochettino had them within the high 4 often, and within the closing phases of the home cups the place they misplaced mainly to the extra resourced Chelsea and Manchester United.

Tottenham had an identification and a course of the gamers and fanbase purchased into and have been pleased with.

Who, or what, subsequent for Spurs?

As Sky Sports activities Information reported, Levy is not going to be clouded by emotion in selecting Conte’s successor. Whereas the board keep they’ve not forgotten the explanations for sacking Pochettino, the Argentine can circle the shortage of refresh which he’d been highlighting since 2016 as the reason for his ending.

Pochettino stays the undisputed fashionable and unifying selection for the membership however rehiring him can be an almighty admission of being incorrect from Levy.

Thomas Tuchel and Luis Enrique have been assessed, however appointing one other former Chelsea head coach is just not appeared upon favourably, and the latter’s expertise outdoors of Spain illustrates danger.

Roberto De Zerbi is strongly admired however desires to stay at Brighton for no less than one other season. Sporting’s Ruben Amorim, Ange Postecoglou from Celtic and Napoli’s Luciano Spalletti have additionally been linked.

Tottenham have flipped between a course of head coach like Pochettino to “licensed winners” Mourinho and Conte, with their shortlist suggesting the membership nonetheless aren’t certain which path to observe between these two junctures.

An additional complication is director of soccer Fabio Paratici’s personal future being unsure. The person tasked with spotlighting Conte’s successor is interesting a 30-month ban from Italian soccer following an investigation into accounting practices at his former membership Juventus.

If Paratici’s enchantment fails, a worldwide suspension might come into pressure.

Tottenham are sweating over their head coach, their star striker and their director of soccer. Levy has extra issues than Conte to resolve, however he’s essentially the most instant one and the rising feeling is that the 53-year-old is not going to be in submit earlier than his contract expires.