Tottenham head coach Antonio Conte has criticized fans for being ‘impatient’ in their 15-year wait to win a trophy.
While once a universally popular figure at Spurs to propel them into the top four at the expense of rivals Arsenal, Conte was heavily criticized by supporters during their UEFA Champions League exit to AC Milan. went.
Trailing 1-0 on aggregate and desperately needing a goal in the last 10 minutes of the second leg of the last 16 tie, Conte opted to replace star forward Dejan Klosewski with out-of-favour defender Davinson Sanchez.
Around 60,000 home fans booed the call, while pockets of the Tottenham Hotspur stadium were heard chanting ‘you don’t know what you’re doing’ and even former manager Mauricio Pochettino’s name – 90 Minutes revealed earlier this week that Conte is highly unlikely. Sign a new contract at Spurs later this summer and Pochettino would be interested in returning to the club.
Conte explained on Friday that he made the substitution to restore balance to the team after centre-back Cristian Romero was sent off.
However, he also hit back at fans for voicing their frustration, insisting it was not helping the team.
He said that it is not in my power to tell whether the atmosphere is good or not, I keep telling you that the patience of the fans here has run out. Fans want to win trophies.
“The fans have run out of patience and we’re feeling it. I’m feeling it, the players are feeling it. Certainly, it didn’t help the situation.
“I said that the club knows the situation very well. The situation is not easy. It is not easy. I repeat because the atmosphere wants to win and at the moment we are not close to doing that, in my opinion, well, yes. ? It’s reality.
“There is no patience. I ask for time and patience but I see that patience has run out. Maybe the fans are right but you make wins in two days not one day.
“It’s difficult for me to understand the situation. It’s difficult because I’m putting everything, myself and the staff, into trying to make something, to help the club, but at the same time I think maybe It’s not enough.”
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He added: “I think it’s not easy for the club, it’s not easy to invest a lot of money and you’re guaranteed to win. Maybe your chances are better but we know we have to be top, top. To fight against teams that invested a lot of money in it.
“You have to create the right environment. Not just investing and spending money to sign new players. That’s not the only way to win.
“To win, you have to have the right atmosphere, the right unity, the right spirit, being solid, creating the same mindset for everyone. Push yourself, be under pressure, be tired and that way you are ready to win the club. doing.
“Or you’ve got to believe in a miracle and there’s a big, big job to do. Right? But I see there’s no patience. I can put it all on myself but I don’t want to kill myself.
“I remember well when I arrived at the club, everyone said, ‘Now we have Conte – he won in the past, so now we’re going to win!’ But we have to win together.
“We have to create the right situation. I can teach you how to win, but you have to follow me and be patient. I need time and patience and I understand that I have that.
“Maybe I have time, because the club can give it to me, but I think the club lacks patience (from the fans).
“I repeat that this makes the situation really difficult for me. Maybe my past will punish me, you understand?”
“If I was a coach who was a good coach but without a win in my career, I think it would be the best situation to work together and enjoy growing, but my past is different, my past expectations, Brings high expectations.
“I’m very happy to work here and live here, but at the same time, I have to take care of myself. It’s not right if I just have to put pressure and pressure on myself.”
Tottenham’s exit from the Champions League was preceded by their elimination from the FA Cup at the hands of second-tier Sheffield United. Spurs haven’t won a piece of silverware.