‘Conte is not the messiah’: Rob Green says it’s ‘about time’ Tottenham realise one thing

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Rob Green believes Tottenham Hotspur must realise they face a long-term path to success as Antonio Conte is not ‘the messiah’, while speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live (2/12, 19:28).

Spurs hired the Italian to replace Nuno Espirito Santo last month after sacking the former Wolves boss after 17 games. Tottenham won nine times during the Portuguese’s time at the helm, but only took all three-points in two of his final seven Premier League matches.

Conte, meanwhile, has won three from five fixtures in charge so far, including two of three Premier League games. Spurs have only failed to beat Everton in the top-flight by drawing.

Tottenham have also only lost once under Conte, but their defeat under the 52-year-old came against Mura. The Slovenian side stunned Spurs in the Europa Conference League.

Conte admitted after Tottenham’s loss at the Fazanerija that he was ‘starting to understand the situation’ he faces at Spurs. Jamie O’Hara also rolled off a list of players he felt should never play for the north London club again.

Green hammers home Tottenham’s long-term task in Conte statement

Former West Ham and England goalkeeper Green has now hammered home the point that Conte faces a long-term task to bring success to Tottenham, and that Spurs must realise it.

“Antonio Conte is not the messiah,” Green said. “He has realised the size of the task and he’s gone: ‘Wow – I’ve seen enough, this is a long-term project’.

“Tottenham are in a period of transition and Conte will have to say: ‘There will be a long time before I can do anything’.

“It is about time that Tottenham realised that because they did lose some key players after the Champions League final.”

Mauricio Pochettino led Tottenham to their first-ever Champions League final in 2019, and urged Chairman Daniel Levy to strengthen his squad during the following transfer window.

Tanguy Ndombele arrived for a club-record £54m alongside Giovanni Lo Celso and Ryan Sessegnon. But Kieran Trippier also left for Atletico Madrid during the same summer.

Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld, Moussa Sissoko and Erik Lamela have since left north London, as well. While Matt Doherty, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Joe Rodon, Emerson Royal and Cristian Romero have arrived to fill their voids.