Premier League: Tottenham manager Conte points finger at club’s board amid growing criticism

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Explaining the current malaise at Tottenham Hotspur shouldn’t be his only job, according to head coach Antonio Conte as he tries to halt the clubs’ fall in the Premier League.

Tottenham have picked up just four points from four games since the Premier League resumed after the World Cup and will face champions Manchester City on Thursday.

I never saw the medical service. . . the club or sporting director coming here to explain the club’s strategy or vision

— Antonio Conte, speaking to the press

Sunday’s 2-0 home defeat to leaders Arsenal showed how far they had fallen behind their north London rivals this season and raised doubts over Contes’ future at the club.

The Italian went to great lengths to lower expectations at Tottenham, claiming after a New Year’s Day defeat at home to Aston Villa that he had performed a miracle in guiding them to the top four last season.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Conte asked why other members of the Spurs hierarchy were not asked about the direction the club is heading.

In England, I think there is a bad habit that only the coach talks about and explains. I have never seen the medical service come here to explain themselves. I have never seen the club or the sporting director come here to explain the club’s strategy or vision, Conte, whose team is fifth, told reporters.

In Italy, before each match, there is a person from the club who will speak to the media. I think for us it could be really better, otherwise there is only one face to explain the situation which I think is better for the club to explain.

I think it could be good for the club to be present in the media. Not weekly, but at least fortnightly or once a month. I think this might be easier for you to understand, otherwise it might seem (like) if something is a review or a negative and it’s not.

Contes’ regular rebukes and public statements about his team’s ability to challenge silverware have worn down fans’ patience, but he says he finds criticism of his methods difficult to understand.

If there are criticisms, we have to accept them, but it is difficult to understand because we are doing everything we can in this situation to the extent of our possibilities, he said.

The mentality of this team is very strong, but it’s not just a question of mentality.

Tottenham completed the double against Manchester City last season and need a positive result to rekindle their flagging top-four ambitions. They are five points behind fourth-placed Manchester United and third-placed Newcastle United.

Spurs will be boosted by the availability of Uruguayan midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur, who hasn’t played since his World Cup injury.

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