MY ACCOUNT
Antonio Conte believes no manager could provide a fast fix for Tottenham’s problems, with the Italian citing the club’s lack of stability as a recurring problem for decades.
The former Chelsea and Inter boss took the reins at Spurs in November following Nuno Espirito Santo’s dismissal and has endured a run of mixed form since his arrival.
Outstanding highs, such as a Harry Kane-led raid on Premier League champions Manchester City, have been followed by humiliating lows, such as a miserable defeat to Burnley.
A midweek exit to Middlesbrough in the FA Cup has now confirmed another empty-handed season, while their inconsistency means a Champions League berth could be a long shot too.
While Conte stresses he was never under any illusion about the task at hand, he says that he feels no quick fix was ever possible for the club, adamant no coach could change their narrative.
“For sure, to have this up and down I don’t like,” he said ahead of his side’s clash with Everton on Monday. “I always said this from my first day when I arrived.
“Tottenham’s story is this, many ups and downs, but to be competitive, to try to win something, to try to fight for something important and become a strong team, the first thing that has to happen is to be stable and avoid these ups and downs.
“To do this and to change this type of situation that is happening for many, many years in Tottenham, it’s not simple.
“In a short time it’s impossible to do this, not only for me but I think for any manager or coach to come in and change the story in one second. This [is the] story of this club for the last 20 years – especially when this club for 20 years has this type of situation.”
More than a reversal of fortunes is on the line for Tottenham when they face Frank Lampard’s Toffees in north London, with Conte looking to dodge an unwanted record.
Spurs have lost their last two home league games, last losing three in a row in their own stadium between May and September 2008 under Juande Ramos – it would be a managerial first for Conte.
However, the Italian can take hope from the fact that not only has he never lost to Everton, he has also never conceded a goal against them in five Premier League meetings.
Only Roberto Mancini has faced an opponent more without his side conceding a single goal in the competition’s history (seven matches against Wigan Athletic).
