It was crazy to say Tottenham could win title, insists Conte

ANTONIO CONTE admitted that Tottenham require another miracle to repeat last year’s top-four finish, and claimed it was unrealistic to pretend they were ever title contenders. Conte’s uncomfortable truth came after a 2-0 defeat at home by Aston Villa left Spurs trailing in fifth, with an undertone to hint that nothing will change. ‘Last season we made a miracle,’ said the Italian. ‘Why? Because we played only one competition, and we played with 12 or 13 players and they didn’t have injuries in the last 15 games. ‘We played the best players in every game because we played only in the league. Don’t forget, with three games to go, Arsenal were four points above us and we finished 20 points from Manchester City. We did a miracle, but I knew what was the situation. Then I was very clear with the club, because I remember very well in the summer, people talking about Tottenham as title contenders. ‘It was a bit crazy to read this. To become a title contender, to become a team ready to fight to win something, you need to have a solid foundation. That means to have 14 or 15 strong players, quality and the other young players to develop. ‘And, every season, you can add two players by investing £50million, £60m, £70m, and this means you are signing important players that improve quality and the level of your team. But this is a process, guys. ‘People think you arrive and you win. This can happen for a team that are used to winning in the past, but if you are not used to it, it means you have to create this situation. For this, you need time and patience.

‘I understand the fans are disappointed because they can say, “But we’ve been patient for a long time”. I understand it but the situation is this. If you want the truth, I can tell you the truth.’ Conte refused to criticise his players or the Spurs fans who made their feelings clear, booing the team off at the end. Instead, his veiled message seemed to urge chairman Daniel Levy to be more open about the true ambitions of the club. ‘I know the reality because I am the coach,’ he said. ‘I live the club every day. I know the situation. I know the vision of the club. The club knows very well my thoughts on the situation. ‘I continue to work, to improve and help the club create a solid foundation and then to develop. At the start of the season, I was very clear, to say, “OK, we can be competitive to win but you have to know there are clubs investing £200m or £300m, with different policies”.

‘The policy has to be very clear, otherwise we create a situation that’s not positive and creates expectations that are not realistic, honestly. I know very well. I was expecting this moment. Now we have to start to fight strong, because in this league you can slip quickly if you are not prepared and not humble to understand the situation very well.

‘If you ask me if I’m scared, I’m not scared. I believe in my work, I believe in these players, but don’t ask me for things I cannot promise you. This will only create an illusion and create dreams at a moment when you have to be realistic. If you are realistic, you know the situation and you face the moment in the right way.’