Antonio Conte claims there’s always a ‘strategy’ behind his press conferences following his standout comments after Tottenham’s loss to Burnley.

Tottenham lost 1-0 at Turf Moor, just days after beating Manchester City at the Etihad, prompting Conte to appear in front of TV cameras and openly state he questioned his own abilities and future at the club.

Within 24 hours, it was reported that he was completely happy at the club, however, and Conte warned viewers that things are rarely as they seem when he addresses the press, particularly when he appears on more emotional.

“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, every time we we have a press conference, there is a strategy behind it, not an emotion moment.

“I understood that it was the right time, after four defeats in five games and a 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 an emotional moment, no. At that moment, I sent a specific message to the whole environment and it happened in the past, when I want 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.”

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.”

READ MORE: Seven things you need to know about new Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch