Tottenham news: Pundit issues Antonio Conte quit claim as fresh quotes surface
Noel Whelan has rubbished suggestions Antonio Conte will quit Tottenham before the end of the season.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Premier League striker said the 52-year-old’s outbursts are born out of “frustration” rather than a genuine will to leave.
Speaking to Sky Sports (23 February), Conte questioned whether he was the right man to take Spurs forward following a 1-0 loss to Burnley.
On Saturday, the Lilywhites responded with a 4-0 thrashing of Leeds United.
However, as quoted by Football.London (26 February), Conte doubled down on his “very clear” comments regarding his future after the win.
When asked by Football Insider deputy editor Russell Edge for his assessment of Conte’s future, Whelan said: “I don’t think he will quit.
“I think his comments in midweek were more out of frustration. He is frustrated by the lack of consistency.
“Champions League qualification will determine how much money he can spend in the summer and what calibre of player he can bring into Tottenham. You can only get that quality of player if you are in the Champions League.
“I’m sure he has been promised money but if you are in the Europa League you have to go for the band B of players rather than the band A.
“It has been stop and start at Spurs and that’s the most frustrating thing for Conte. It is vital that they finish in fourth.”
In other news, Tottenham have been tipped by a pundit to sell their £25m-valued star to fund a move for an ally to Rodrigo Bentancur.