MY ACCOUNT
Teddy Sheringham believes Antonio Conte is the wrong fit for Tottenham and wants Mauricio Pochettino back in the dugout.
Conte is facing an uncertain future after seeing his side crash out of both the FA Cup and Champions League within the space of a week.
The North London outfit’s trophy drought will now extend into its 16th year and their only remaining aim for this season is to battle for a Champions League place.
They currently occupy the final spot and sit four points ahead of fifth-placed Newcastle, though the Magpies have two Premier League games in hand.
Asked at the London Football Awards whether reaching the Champions League is enough for a club like Spurs, Sheringham told LiveScore: “No, I don’t think so.
“When Conte came in, I thought he was going to be the manager to make things tick eventually but it doesn’t seem to be the right fit.
“We’ll probably be seeing a change and someone else having a chance of getting silverware at Tottenham.”
Rumours of a potential return for popular coach Pochettino, who was sacked by the club in November 2019, have intensified in recent weeks.
The Argentine had Spurs regularly competing near the top of the Premier League during his five years at the helm and led them to the Champions League final in his last full season in charge.
And with Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo and now Conte struggling since his departure, Sheringham thinks Poch remains the best option for chairman Daniel Levy.
The former Tottenham star, 56, said: “I’d like to see Pochettino come back. I think the way he wants his teams to play football is ideal.
“He likes to take the game to the opposition so I’d like to see him come back.
“They do say never go back but they’ve tried a few managers now so why not go back with the best performer they had?”
Tottenham’s pragmatic approach under Conte has been a particular gripe with supporters.
Pochettino, 51, was well known for getting Spurs to play expansive and attacking football and Sheringham believes that can get fans off their seats once again.
The ex-England striker added: “He takes the game to the opposition. He doesn’t wait for the opposition to fall down on what they’re doing.
“He has a game plan to dominate the ball and keep possession and hopefully open teams up. That’s what good managers do.”
