Antonio Conte says there is a “strategy” in his press conferences
Tottenham boss Antonio Conte insists there is always a ‘strategy’ behind his dramatic press conferences.
The Italian appeared to doubt his future after last week’s loss to Burnley when he claimed he was ‘not good enough’ to solve Spurs’ problems and the club needed to assess their position.
The comments, which came 24 hours after he said he was happy at the club, were attributed to Conte being an emotional character, but he says his words always carry specific intent.
“I think you have to understand when there is a strategy or not and not just an emotional moment,” he said.
“It’s not right to sit here and explain why I speak a certain way and after three days I spoke another way. Maybe I can explain to you, whenever we have a press conference, there is a strategy behind it, not an emotional moment.
“I understood that it was the right time, after four defeats in five games and the victory against Manchester City three days ago, to send the right message, a clear message to myself, to the club and also to the players.
“We must know that we are here to enjoy football, both to improve, to ask us for 100% commitment and desire and also to emphasize that a team like Tottenham does not exist to lose four games in five.
“If anyone understood that my words came from a moment of emotion, no. At that moment, I sent a specific message to the whole environment and it happened in the past, when I want to push the situation and the environment in the same direction, because I see that we can do better, it’s not because it’s an emotional moment, it’s because there is a strategy behind.
Maybe I can explain to you, every time we have a press conference, there’s a strategy behind it, not an emotional moment.
Antonio Conte
Conte’s words had the desired effect as Spurs recovered from defeat at Turf Moor with a 4-0 defeat at Leeds.
Another defining moment of their season comes on Tuesday when they visit Middlesbrough in the FA Cup fourth round.
The cup competition is their only remaining chance for silverware this season, but with Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea still involved, Conte says his side are “the underdog”.
“For sure it’s a big challenge for me, for my players because maybe you start this tournament as an underdog,” he added.
“But at the same time you know when you get to play that game and you know it’s only four games to reach the final and you start to feel the possibility of seeing the target, of seeing the goal close. from you and then for that’s why we have to try to push ourselves to go forward in this competition and try to create problems for the team which at the moment is usually the favorite to win this trophy.