Richards ‘loved’ Conte rant and says Tottenham boss deserves defending
Tottenham manager Antoni Conte reviews Southampton draw
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
Tottenham boss Antonio Conte has been defended by Micah Richards after his explosive rant on Saturday. The Italian caused controversy by turning on his players following his side’s 3-3 draw with Southampton. However, he’s now received backing at a time where his position in the role remains uncertain.
Tottenham were leading Southampton 3-1 on Saturday until the closing stages of the contest, with Theo Walcott and James Ward-Prowse then striking to earn the Saints a draw.
And Conte then proceeded to let rip, with the Spurs boss turning on his players and slamming them for their failure to see out the game.
The Italian has been widely criticised in the time since but Sky Sports pundit Richards, writing for the Daily Mail, believes he doesn’t deserve that treatment.
“Why has Antonio Conte been criticised for his eruption at Southampton?” he said.
“When managers dance around issues, we say they are sugar-coating things and should be more honest.
Want the latest football news? Join our brand new Facebook group by clicking here
“When Conte does something like he did, people don’t want to hear it. It’s madness!
“Personally, I absolutely loved it. He was outstanding and has made sure everyone knows what it is really like inside Tottenham.
“I wish he could have accepted responsibility for results himself, but in terms of shining a light I could have listened to him for another 10 minutes.”
In his rant, Conte accused Tottenham players of being ‘selfish’.
“The problem is we have shown we are not a team,” Conte told BBC’s Match of the Day.
“We are 11 players. I see selfish players. I see players that don’t want to help each other, don’t play with heart.”
He then added: “They’re used to it here. Don’t play for something important.
“They don’t want to play under pressure. They don’t want to play under stress. Tottenham’s story is this. 20 years there is the owner and they never won something. Why?
“The fault is only for the club or for every manager that stays here? And I have seen the managers that Tottenham had on the bench.
“You risk to disrupt the figure of the manager and to protect the other situation. In every moment.
“Until now I tried to hide the situation but now no because, I repeat, I don’t want to see what I have seen today, because this is unacceptable.
“Also for the respect for the fans. They follow us, pay the tickets. And to see the team, another time, to have this type of performance, for me, I repeat, this is unacceptable.”
It is currently unclear how Tottenham will respond to Conte’s latest outburst.
They’ve previously been hoping to finish in the top four under the former Juventus, Chelsea and Inter Milan boss.
But with Tottenham players and Conte losing faith in one another, there’s no guarantee he’ll see out the season.
Talk of a potential return for Mauricio Pochettino has arisen, with the Argentine previously working wonders during his stint in north London
Yet Spurs may have to act quickly to bring the 51-year-old back, amid speculation Real Madrid are eyeing him amid the uncertainty over Carlo Ancelotti’s long-term future.
Tottenham are next in action against Everton on April 3 (8pm).
Source: Read Full Article