Michael Owen says he doesn’t understand this ‘great image’ that is being built around Tottenham Hotspur boss, Antonio Conte, as he also slammed the Italian’s style of play.
Will Antonio Conte sign a new Tottenham contract? Will Spurs offer to extend his stay at Hotspur Way? Those are the questions being asked as his contract comes to a close.
Either way, former England striker Owen thinks all isn’t well at the club, despite the team still being in a healthy position to finish in the Premier League’s top-four and still in the Champions League knockout stages.
Conte has been a trophy-laden coach wherever he has been, including winning the Premier League title and the FA Cup for Chelsea.
There is still a chance the 53-year-old could bring glory to Spurs, but at the end of the day, it’s looking less likely, with the most realistic chance being the FA Cup.
Either way, whilst Conte is lauded for what he has done in his career, Michael Owen isn’t a great fan, as he told Premier League Productions (23/01/23 at 7:55 pm).
“When you look a little deeper, I don’t think all is well at Tottenham,” said Owen. “I don’t like the style of play, and never have done. I don’t get this great image that Conte has got as a serial winner and a serial this, or whatever.
“I never get excited watching their teams. They have got some great players. Not really (improved any of them).
“To that point, when you look at the great coaches of the Premier League, there are certain clubs where the manager has gone in and changed the fortunes of the players that he has got. Forget signings. To start with, you have to improve with what you have got. You have to be a person who can get the best out of players.
“We look at the teams up there, the likes of Newcastle, the likes of Manchester United, at the moment. Brighton. Lots of teams, and Villa is a good example. That’s the basis of a good manager, you have to come in and improve what you have got.”
SHOULD CONTE STAY?
The issue here is that, not only is the question of ‘should Conte stay?’ being asked. But ‘should Tottenham keep Conte?’.
Even though the £288k-a-week Spurs man has the club where they should be, the style of play and gap to Arsenal isn’t helping his cause.
Therefore, come the summer, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he doesn’t renew and he heads for the exit door.
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