Antonio Conte has warned Tottenham they must match his ambition for success.
Tottenham boss Conte refused to give categoric assurances on his long term future but made it plain that he wants the backing to challenge for major trophies.
It is impossible to imagine that Conte, a proven winner at every club he has managed, would have taken the Spurs job without the promise of reinforcements.
But even so, less than three months into his 18 month deal, the rumblings of discontent are clear because of Conte’s reputation of not just being combative but his CV shows that he will never settle for second best.
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When asked whether he could assure the supporters about his future, Conte said: “Honestly I like to live in the present and not to think a lot of the future. Now it is important to live in the present, to try in the present to improve the situation and get out the best of my players.
“To work to improve the situation because the present is now, the future is later. Later could be too much later for us. We have to be focused on the present and work to try to improve the situation now. Then I will see.
“Now we have to be focused on the present and we have to work a lot to try to keep Tottenham in the right position.”
And when pressed on being reluctant to give assurances, he added: “As you know I signed a contract for the end of the season and one year more.
“But I repeat, I am enjoying my time at Tottenham and I have a good relationship with the people in Tottenham, with our chairman, with our general director. I want to work and improve this team. We have to be focused on the present to try to improve the situation.”
If that was less than completely convincing, Conte made it crystal clear that his desire for success has not waned. This is the manager who led Chelsea to a Premier League title followed by an FA Cup and then the sack, but he also delivered the Serie A title for Inter Milan.
When Tottenham got Conte they pulled off a huge coup but there is no way the Italian saw it as anything other than a chance to win trophies - and expects to get the backing in the market to turn the squad into winners.
Conte said: “I don’t lose my ambition and this must be very clear. I like to fight for something important. I like to fight and to be competitive.
“I know very well there is only one team that can lift trophies at the end of the season, especially in England where the level is very difficult and every squad is very strong. For sure I don’t want to lose my characteristic.
“I don’t want to lose my will, my desire. Otherwise I will go against myself. I have to be the same person in every moment and I want to keep this characteristic.
“I am here for only two months. I think that we have to go to do the right things. I know it’s not easy because to improve the situation there is only the January transfer market.”
Conte even looked strangely subdued in the Carabao Cup semi final defeat to Chelsea on Wednesday night as Tottenham saw a chance to end their 14-year wait for a trophy disappear again.
But Conte, known for his touchline histrionics and being excitable, delivered a driving analogy as he insisted that his determination is as strong as ever.
“You have to ask the referee or fourth official if I was calm against Chelsea!” he laughed. “He would be surprised by this question. For sure, during my management I have to try to see when I stay calm for my players. This is a strategy.
“I can drive the car but sometimes the driver can stay seated and calm. It’s part of the process to give more responsibility to my players. If I want to force myself to live the game in another way, it’ll be very, very difficult.
“But sometimes I have to stay seated and leave my players to make the best decision and face the game during the difficulties. It’s part of the process to improve their responsibility during the game. For sure, I’m very strong and I’ll be very strong towards the end of the season.”
