Some Tottenham Hotspur’s players had doubts over Antonio Conte arriving, as they were told by friends about his intense style, the Athletic say.
Daniel Levy and Tottenham were locked in talks with Conte throughout last week, but the potential deal ended up falling through at the last minute.
That has caused great frustration among Spurs supporters, with many excited to see one of the most successful modern-day managers arriving at their club.
Conte has just won the Serie A title with Inter Milan, but his style is usually effective for a shot-term rather than a long one.
Part of the reason for that is due to Conte’s intensity, and Tottenham’s players apparently were warned about that by friends.
The report says that Tottenham’s players were told how ‘extreme’ Conte’s methods were and how he gives little regard to academy players.
No names were mentioned, but Christian Eriksen obviously left Tottenham to work with Conte at Inter, while Spurs players would have contacts in the Chelsea dressing room, who would also know all about the 51-year-old boss.
Worry at Tottenham
Those comments from their friends apparently sparked some concern in the Tottenham dressing room.
However, if Conte had arrived – he surely would have been among the most likely managers to turn Tottenham’s fortunes around in the short-term.
Spurs have faltered this season, and fallen away from challenging for a top four spot.
Tottenham ended up finishing in seventh place in the Premier League table, and whoever takes over has a lot of work to do, to make Spurs into genuine Champions League contenders again.
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