Italian outlet CMW claim that Antonio Conte is now planning to leave Tottenham Hotspur at the end of the season, and Spurs are planning for that eventuality – targeting Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone as a replacement.
Conte, 53, is celebrating a year at Tottenham on Wednesday. It comes after the Italian joined the club in November 2021, and has since gone on to win 32 games in 52 matches. Spurs have propelled into the top four under Conte.
He has made them fitter, and convinced Daniel Levy to spend cash. Spurs have gone from a side knocked out of the Europa Conference League and sitting in mid-table, to a team that are widely expected to finish at least fourth.
They have won their Champions League group and will be in the hat for the last 16. However, Conte’s contract ends next summer. Spurs have the option to extend his deal by 12 months, but if Conte wants to go, will they extend it?
Unlikely. Spurs would probably prefer to hand Conte a whole new deal, tying the Italian’s future down for the long-term future. But the report says Conte is preferring to leave – and Spurs are planning for that possibility, too.
Conte planning to leave Tottenham: Targeting Simeone as a replacement
It must be said, that Simeone is one of the most-admired managers in European football. But Spurs fans expect attacking, free-flowing attractive football. Conte has his critics at Tottenham, largely because of his pragmatic style.
But he is getting results. £700k-a-week Simeone would go one step further, judging on his time at Atleti. Surpassing a decade in charge and just four games away from 600 in all competitions, his side have won La Liga twice.
However, Simeone is renowned for his defensive style of play. Just ask Manchester City after Pep Guardiola’s side played against Atletico last season in the Champions League. Simeone would not go down well with Spurs fans.
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