Former Tottenham star highlights ‘negative’ impact of Conte deliberating over future

Ben Stewart
Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte during a training session at Hotspur Way Training Ground, London. Picture date: Tuesday March 7, 2023

Danny Rose is hopeful that Antonio Conte will soon come to a decision over his future as he recognises the “negative impact” he could have by deliberating.

There has been plenty of speculation surrounding the Italian manager with his contract in North London set to come to an end at the end of the season.

Conte has yet to commit his long-term future to the club which has sparked rumours of potential new managers joining the club.

In recent weeks the likes of Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel have been linked with the Tottenham job.

Rose does think that the players could be impacted by Conte’s lack of long-term commitment, but it is upon them to get on with the task at hand.

“I’ve never been in that position in terms of knowing that your manager’s contract [is running out],” Rose told 90min.

“In four months time, there’s no indication that he’s going to sign again. So I guess for me, if I was in that changing room, [you would be] sort of thinking ‘hold on a minute. I don’t know if he’s going to be even be here next season’.

“I think it could possibly have an impact. But ultimately, at the end of the day, you’re a professional athlete, you’re a professional player, you’re paid to do a job.

“So it shouldn’t [matter] in one sense. But, you know, in the office as it is, I think it’s only natural that it could possibly have some sort of negative impact on you.

“And for me, I hope he stays. He’s obviously without a doubt one of the best in the world. I’d love him to stay.”

Conte managed to guide Spurs into the top four last season and he currently has them in fourth place in the Premier League.

Liverpool will sense their chance to pounce though as they are just three points behind with a game in hand.

Rose thinks that Conte did well to get Spurs into the top four last season as they were far off the pace before he joined the club.

“I think he’s he said himself that it was an achievement, it was was not looking very much likely when he took over,” Rose added.

“Then obviously they went on an amazing run. We can’t forget fourth spot was Arsenal’s to lose…but in terms of the run that they went on, I don’t think anybody can take that away from them.

“In terms of people thinking that Spurs were going to get top four when he took over, I’d say that was very unlikely. But it’s tough.”

READ MORE: Ranking all 32 Premier League managers this season: Parker to Arteta via Moyes, Conte and De Zerbi