MARIBOR, SLOVENIA (AFP) - Tottenham manager Antonio Conte said he has quickly realised the level of his squad is “not so high” after an embarrassing 2-1 loss to Slovenian minnows NS Mura in the Europa Conference League. Spurs will now likely have to beat Rennes at home in their final group game to avoid crashing out of Europe’s third-tier competition. And they can no longer catch Rennes at the top of the group meaning they would progress to the last 32, while the group winners are parachuted into the last 16. Harry Kane started as one of just two players to be retained by Conte from Sunday’s 2-1 win over Leeds in the Premier League, which had appeared to launch Conte’s reign. However, the Italian was given an early lesson into the strength of his squad with an embarrassing night in Maribor against a club founded just nine years ago. “After three weeks I am starting to understand the situation. It is not simple,” said Conte. “At this moment the level at Tottenham is not so high. “I must be honest and tell you that after three-and-a-half weeks, I am starting to understand the situation. I can tell you that the situation is not simple.” Conte has won a league title at each of his previous three clubs during spells at Juventus, Chelsea and Inter Milan. His arrival has sparked hopes of a return to the Champions League next season via a top-four finish in the Premier League. But he warned he will need time to lift standards around the club. “Someone (might) think that a new coach arrives and Conte won in the past and then I am a magician. But the only magic I can do is to work,” he added. “To bring work and work to improve, to bring my methods, my ideas of football. But we have to understand that we need time.” Tomi Horvat put the hosts into a shock lead before Ryan Sessegnon’s red card left Tottenham a man down for the final hour. Kane restored parity 18 minutes from time, but even the introduction of five first-team regulars off the bench in the second half could not prevent Amadej Marosa’s stunning stoppage time winner.
LONDON (REUTERS) - Antonio Conte got a crash course in what he can expect as Tottenham Hotspur's new manager after the Italian's first game in charge ended in a 3-2 home victory over Vitesse Arnhem in the Europa Conference League on Thursday (Nov 4). Conte, who replaced Nuno Espirito Santo this week after the Portuguese was sacked 10 Premier League games into his first season, watched his side tear into a 3-0 lead after 28 minutes with Son Heung-min and Lucas Moura on target plus an own goal. He then watched Vitesse score twice in seven minutes before halftime in a frantic tie complete with three red cards and an outbreak of crowd trouble amongst the visiting supporters. Defender Cristian Romero saw red for Tottenham on the hour while visiting defender Danilho Doekhi and goalkeeper Markus Schubert were later sent off for the Dutch side. In the end Spurs held on for the three points which boosted their hopes of making progress in Europe's third-tier club competition. They are now second in Group G with seven points, three behind leaders Rennes, who beat Slovenian side Mura 1-0. More on this topic Related Story Football: Conte arrival has raised expectations at Spurs, says Lloris Related Story Football: Conte the 'hammer' brings high demands and glittering CV to Tottenham
MILAN (AFP) - Antonio Conte has parted company with newly-crowned Serie A champions Inter Milan after leading them to a first title in 11 years, the Italian club confirmed on Wednesday (May 26). "FC Internazionale Milano can confirm that an agreement has been reached with Antonio Conte for the termination of his contract by mutual consent," the Chinese-owned club said in a statement. The former Chelsea and Juventus boss took over in May 2019 on a three-year contract worth a reported €12 million (S$19 million) a season. "The club would like to thank Antonio for the extraordinary work that he has done, culminating in Inter's 19th top-flight title. Antonio Conte will forever remain a part of our club's history." The 51-year-old Italian has been at loggerheads with the cash-strapped club's owners Suning over planned cost cutting which would prevent him building the team he wants to challenge at home and in Europe. Inter registered losses of €100 million last season mainly due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Suning Group shut down their Chinese club Jiangsu FC in February months after it won the Chinese Super League title. Five days ago, Inter secured a cash injection worth €275 million with US investment firm Oaktree, in the form of a loan reported to be over three years. Suning wants to save as much as possible both on the purchase of new players and salaries, as well as potentially selling those with the highest value, an approach that Conte believes incompatible with the club's desire to play at the highest level in Europe. His departure had also been heralded last summer after the club's Europa League final defeat to Sevilla and second-place finish in the league behind Juventus. Conte had blamed the club's lack of investment on their failure to challenge this season in the Champions League, in which they have crashed out in the group stage in each of the last three seasons. More on this topic Related Story Football: Inter crowned Serie A champions for 19th time as Atalanta held, Juve's nine-season streak ends Related Story Football: Conte to remain Inter Milan coach next season