MY ACCOUNT
Harry Kane has wished Antonio Conte all the best and urged Tottenham to remain focused on the fight for a top-four finish.
Spurs kept alive their hopes of Champions League qualification with a crucial 2-1 win over Brighton on Saturday thanks to Kane’s 25th goal of the season.
It was a welcome boost for acting head coach Cristian Stellini, who stepped up from his No2 role following Conte’s departure last month.
Former Chelsea boss Conte exited the club on March 26, a week on from his explosive comments at Southampton where he criticised his “selfish players” after they let a two-goal lead slip to draw 3-3.
Discussing the departure for the first time, Kane said: “I wish Antonio all the best. I had a great relationship with him and it was just unfortunate that for one reason or another it didn’t quite work.
“I wish him luck in his next adventure and in the meantime we’ll continue to fight with Cristian, Ryan Mason and the staff and try and achieve what we set out to.
“I’m not going to get into that [post-match press conference]. It was an emotional moment after we should have won the game. We were all disappointed.
“He’s a great man, his emotions come out at times. That’s who he is and he owns that.
“Us players talk amongst ourselves to keep fighting and keep improving. We know we need to do better in those moments when we’re leading.
“Overall, all we can do is keep trying to fight and that’s what we’ll do.”
Conte’s assertation that Tottenham’s players do not like to play under pressure or stress appeared to be backed up when they conceded late at Everton earlier this month.
But a dramatic win over Brighton could prove a pivotal moment in their Premier League campaign.
Kane added, 29, added: “We probably haven’t been as good as we want to be.
“The bottom line is we’re still in a position to get top four and it’s important for the club.”
Fifth-placed Spurs host Bournemouth on Saturday.
