Antonio Conte leaves Tottenham Hotspur after 16 months in charge

Antonio Conte has left Tottenham Hotspur by mutual consent after a 16-month run as the club’s head coach. Spurs are currently fourth in the Premier League, but after exiting all cup competitions, they will not end their 15-year wait for a trophy this season. It’s been reported that relations between Conte and the club deteriorated at all levels.

Conte’s assistant, Cristian Stellini, has been named acting head coach, and Ryan Mason has been appointed as Stellini’s assistant. The team still has 10 Premier League matches remaining, and the fight for a Champions League place remains.

A source has revealed to ESPN that Conte was frustrated with the club’s reluctance to commit to the radical overhaul of the team that he believed was necessary. This concern had been expressed privately on multiple occasions.

Following their draw against Southampton, Conte went public with his anger, blasting the players and the club’s owners. “They are used to it. They don’t play for something important here. They don’t want to play under pressure, they don’t want to play under stress,” he said.

Tottenham is now looking for their ninth manager since winning their last trophy in 2008. Former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel was considered, but he joined Bayern Munich in September. Brighton & Hove Albion’s Roberto De Zerbi and Brentford’s Thomas Frank have also been named as potential candidates. Former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is also thought to be interested in returning to the club.

Conte secured Champions League qualification on the final day of last season, but he was unable to improve the club’s fortunes this season despite a summer net spend in excess of £100 million ($122 million).

Tottenham faces relegation-threatened Everton in the Premier League on April 5. Spurs are currently two points clear of fifth-placed Newcastle United, who have two games in hand.