Antonio Conte raises DOUBTS over his long-term future at Tottenham after 4-2 defeat against Man City

Tottenham manager Antonio Conte appeared to raise doubts over his long-term future at the club following Spurs’ 4-2 defeat against Manchester City on Thursday.

The Italian, who has seen three close friends die in recent months, is out of contract in the summer and no fresh deal looks imminent.

Spurs’ fitness coach Gian Piero Ventrone died in October before Conte’s friend Sinisa Mihajlovic – a former Lazio defender – passed away at the end of 2022.

Spurs boss Antonio Conte raised doubts about his long-term future at Tottenham on Thursday

In recent weeks, Conte has also had to process the death of his ex-Juventus and Italy team-mate Gianluca Vialli, which shook the football world earlier this month. 

Following their defeat to City, Tottenham sit five points adrift of the top four with Arsenal, City, Manchester United and Newcastle all holding a game in hand over the north London club.

When asked about his future after the match, Conte said: ‘For sure under the personal aspect it is a difficult season for what happened but now this situation is not important.

‘This situation is my personal situation and then will be the time to make the right decision for me, for the future, for my family, but this situation doesn’t affect the work and doesn’t affect the team.

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‘I’m really focused. About this aspect I’m an animal because I’m really focused.

‘I know what my task is in this situation and then I’m working very hard because I want to improve. I want to improve the team and the club with my vision, with my idea, with my suggestions.

‘Then for sure we see.

‘I’m totally into the new situation and know that my task is to be part of this process and try to, with a team in transition, to start to become solid and to build a solid foundation and try to build a team ready to fight to win.’

Conte has had to process the passing of his former team-mate Gianluca Vialli in recent weeks

Conte has made a habit of raising doubts about his future at Tottenham, acting coy for much of last season about his long-term plans with the north London club.

However, earlier this week, the Italian warned Tottenham that they would regret sacking him, if the Spurs board chose to go down that path.

He said ahead of the clash at the Etihad: ‘None of the clubs where I have worked have been unhappy about my commitment and what I have given them. 

‘Usually when I leave, the club regret it a lot because they saw the way I worked and the commitment I put in. In this aspect I am really happy for the way that I am.’