CONTE: I WAS JOKING WHEN I SAID I COULD BE SACKED

ANTONIO CONTE is not expecting to be fired by Tottenham before the end of the season.

The Italian claimed his imminent departure was a possibility after Spurs were knocked out of the Champions League by AC Milan.

But said yesterday: ‘This was a provocation about my future — a joke. ‘I said you don’t know what happens because maybe the club can sack me. ‘But I don’t think the club is thinking this. They see what me and my staff are doing for this club.’ Conte’s deal expires at the end of the campaign and the club are sounding out potential successors.