Rio Ferdinand suggests it is ‘too early’ for Tottenham to sack Antonio Conte

Rio Ferdinand and Glenn Hoddle agreed it would be a risk for Tottenham to sack Antonio Conte.

Conte came under criticism for his tactics during Tottenham’s Champions League exit on Tuesday.

Spurs were tepid as they drew 0-0 with AC Milan at home, trailing 1-0 from the first leg in Italy.

Conte is out of contract at the end of the season and there is uncertainty over his future, with Spurs now having only top four left to fight for. 

Ferdinand, speaking on BT Sport, suggested the club should stick with the manager as they continue to fight for a Champions League place next season. 

Antonio Conte faces criticism from Tottenham fans after his side exited the Champions League

Rio Ferdinand (left) and Glenn Hoddle (right) agreed that it would be a risk to sack Conte

‘I think the club will think at the moment: “We’re in pole position”‘, he said. ‘They’re sitting in fourth. I think its too early to give him the sack. Fourth place in the be-all and end-all.

‘It’s a bit Spursy, same old story. The recruitment has got to be better. Think about the players who were coming through a few years ago.’

Hoddle echoed Ferdinand’s views, describing the potential call as a ‘risk’.

He did however suggest former manager Mauricio Pochettino could return to north London, before laying into the quality of the side.

‘It would be a risk at this moment in time’, he said. ‘Who’s out there? There’s talk of Pochettino coming back. 

‘Getting in to the top four is one thing, but it’s a bigger picture than that. Is that team going to go again in the Champions League next year?

‘You look for patterns, a one-off 7-0 could be a blip, but there’s a lot of repeated patterns here.

‘There’s a lack of quality in this team. They need to strengthen at the back, in midfield, they need a creator, and if they lose Harry Kane, my word, they’re in trouble. 

‘There wasn’t enough creativity today. It didn’t happen.’ 

Hoddle brought up suggestions that former manager Mauricio Pochettino could return 

There is a possibility star forward Harry Kane could look to leave the club in search of trophies