Today marks a year to the day since Antonio Conte became Spurs manager. The Italian replaced Nuno Espirito Santo who had a dismal four-month period in charge of the Lilywhites.
So how have Spurs performed in their first year under Conte?
When reflecting on Conte’s Spurs, you must start with his biggest achievement so far which was securing Champions League qualification last season – tipping Arsenal to fourth. The first time the Lilywhites had qualified for Europe’s premier competition since 2019.
The Italian has also reached the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup only to be comprehensively beaten by London rivals Chelsea – across two legs in the semi-final.
This season Spurs currently sit third in the league and are through to the knock-out rounds of the Champions League, so despite the football not being the most pleasing on the eye – Conte has us winning games.
With Conte reaching his one-year anniversary as Spurs boss, I thought it would be worth to take a look as to how Conte ranks amongst former Spurs managers?
At the time of writing Antonio Conte has accumulated a record of 1.91 points per game since arriving in North London. This ranks him above every single Spurs manager since in the modern era barring Andre Villas-Boas – stats provided by Transfermarkt
1)
Antonio Conte – 1.91 points per game
2)
Andre Villas-Boas – 1.91 points per game
3)
Mauricio Pochettino – 1.84 points per game
4)
Jose Mourinho – 1.77 points per game
5)
Harry Redknapp – 1.73 points per game
6)
Nuno Espirito Santo – 1.65 points per game
7)
Martin Jol – 1.62 points per game
8)
Juande Ramos- 1.35 points per game
I don’t think I am the only fan to be surprised at the fact Villas-Boas is so high up on that list!
Spurs fans, how would you sum up Conte’s first year in charge?
Entertainment value …zero. Most boring and defensive tactician we have ever had. Once proud Spurs are scraping wins playing ghastly football.
Will be glad when Conte goes back to Italy.
We need a modern, progressive coach with attacking ideas. We also desperately need an attacking midfielder. Also give the youngsters a go….Djed Spence ( can’t be worse than Emerson and Charlie Chaplin Doherty), Harvey White, Papa Sarr etc.
I wouldn’t call it boring. A typically dour 1st half usually followed by an edge-of-the-seat 2nd.
Conte has helped rebuild a gutted squad and there seems to be a plan for progression. CL football and a couple of fantastic new players in Bentancur & Kulusevski. Others have yet to reveal their best so we’ll see how that goes.
I think that with the right players, his system looks a lot better. I would like to see more flexibilty during matches but I imagine there are limitations in the squad that preclude certain styles of play. Our passing can be dreadful at times.
No doubt the coaching staff have noticed & are trying to fix that.
Also, injuries have hit the squad hard & we desperately need new, quality, proven, match-ready players.