Antonio Conte: ‘I am not so stupid to kill myself’ but ‘I am ready to die’ for Tottenham

Joe Williams
Tottenham boss Antonio Conte points and shouts instructions

Tottenham boss Antonio Conte says he is “ready to die” to make sure his time at Spurs is a success after a recent dip in form.

A terrible seven days saw Tottenham exit the FA Cup at the hands of Championship side Sheffield United, dip out the Champions League to AC Milan and loosen their grip on fourth place in the Premier League.

Although Spurs are three points ahead of Liverpool, the Reds have a game in hand and now Tottenham’s season all rests on their remaining Premier League fixtures.

There has been speculation as to whether Tottenham could sack Conte and there is still the lingering situation of the Italian’s contract being up for renewal in the summer.

On speculation over his future, Conte told a press conference on Friday (via BBC Sport): “The club knows very well which is my situation, which is my thoughts. If I have to become the person to take as a target. No. I am not this person.

“We need time and patience. I understood that here the patience is finished for the fans, for the environment and then we will see what happens in the future.

“I am not so stupid to kill myself. If you ask me now am I ready now to die for this club? Yes. Until the end I am ready to die for this club. But I am not so stupid to kill myself.”

Tottenham boss Conte added: “You know with the club we signed a contract, a strange contract one-year-and-a-half. Usually you sign for three years but I think it was for the club and for myself to see the situation.

“For the club to understand my personality, my capacity as a coach and for me – from my side it was the same. To understand if we were on the same page. Now after one year and a half, the club knows me, I know the club and it is clear this situation.

“We have to finish the season and then we will see. The club knows very well my thoughts. I am ready to die for this club until the end of the season.”

On his side’s ambitions, Conte continued: “In this moment, the most important thing is to be focused on the league.

“You know what is my opinion, what is my desire. I say to you a lot of times about the situation that I have found, and we aspire to be competitive to fight to win. I repeat this for a long time.”

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