Italian tactician, Antonio Conte appeared to have aimed a subtle dig at Tottenham owner Daniel Levy, after being forced to part ways with the club before last season was wrapped up. Conte parted ways with the Lilywhites in March after a fiery rant about the club proved to be the final straw. 
Antonio Conte at a Tottenham match. Source: Getty Spurs blew a 3-1 lead against Southampton after James Ward-Prowse netted a penalty in the dying embers of the tie. Conte called his players ‘unacceptable’ and ‘selfish’, claiming that there is a rotten culture and that the club needs to ‘change this situation’ imminently. Conte concluded the press conference at the time by suggesting that Levy should take some blame for Tottenham’s misfortunes, highlighting the sheer number of managers who’ve enjoyed little to no success. He eventually parted ways with the club. Since parting ways with Tottenham in March, Antonio Conte has remained coy on his time in north London. However, speaking at an awards ceremony in Arezzo on Tuesday, June 13, he claimed that “some had decided to settle for less”, a comment that has been interpreted as a thinly-veiled dig at Tottenham. Conte also said that he hasn’t lost his “passion”. 
Antonio Conte giving out match advice to Richarlison. Source: Getty He said; “The last experience, like all of them really, had some things that were positive and some less so. The experience was wonderful, we did the maximum possible and gave all that we had. When I arrived, the team was in eighth or ninth place, yet we qualified for the Champions League. Then this season, with the side in fourth position, I decided we should part ways with Tottenham. Some had decided to settle for less. “I still have the desire to coach, that passion never goes. If it did, I would have to look inside myself and think that it was no longer right to continue doing this profession. Having said that, I am also not spasmodically searching for a new job. If something important and serious came along, that gave me motivation, then I would give it consideration, in Italy or abroad.” Since his departure from Tottenham who recently appointed Ange Postecoglou in his stead, Conte has been heavily linked with a number of jobs throughout Europe including a return to Juventus or a move to Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain.
The Italian tactician, who was appointed as Spurs boss in November 2021 had also gone off on a rant at Tottenham’s owner, Daniel Levy, and the club’s trophy record. Speaking after a 3-3 Premier League draw with Southampton on March 18, Conte said; “I think it’s better to go into the problem, we are not a team. We are 11 players that go into the pitch. I see selfish players, players that don’t want to help each other and don’t put their heart [into it]. This season compared to last, now we are worse in this aspect. When you are not a team you cannot improve. “It is easy in this way [playing without pressure or importance]. Tottenham’s story is this, 20 years there is the owner and they never won something but why? The fault is only for the club, or for every manager that stay here.” Confirming that they’ve parted ways with Conte, Tottenham said in a statement; 
“We can announce that Head Coach Antonio Conte has left the Club by mutual agreement. We achieved Champions League qualification in Antonio’s first season at the Club. We thank Antonio for his contribution and wish him well for the future. “Cristian Stellini will take the team as Acting Head Coach for the remainder of the season, along with Ryan Mason as Assistant Head Coach. “We have 10 Premier League games remaining and we have a fight on our hands for a Champions League place. We all need to pull together. Everyone has to step up to ensure the highest possible finish for our Club and amazing, loyal supporters.” In Conte’s first year with the club, Tottenham qualified for the Champions League in 2021-22 but was beaten by AC Milan in the round of 16 earlier this month. The club was also eliminated from the FA Cup after a loss to second-tier Sheffield United on March. 
