Tottenham boss Antonio Conte admits he was 'the crazy one' early on in his tenure after threatening to quit as boss following a rocky patch, and reveals he had to 'go strong' on his players to change the mentality as they chase a top four spot.
Spurs hammered Arsenal 3-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday night to go within a point of their bitter rivals with two games to go. After the game, Conte was quizzed about his connection with the club having overcome difficult moments, with the team finally looking to have embraced his philosophy.
He said he was taking a 'risk' by coming to Tottenham and was driven 'crazy' by the team's poor run of form between January and February that saw Conte lose four games in five for the first time in his career.
That miserable run ended with a 1-0 loss away at Burnley on a damning night that left the Italian questioning whether he should be the manager anymore, saying he was 'too honest to take my salary'.
Conte said he had to take a tough approach to get his message across to the players and change their thinking to bring about more positive results - and thinks the squad have 'improved a lot' during the last few months to get them back in the running for a top four finish.
'I think there are moments that if you want to change the situation, sometimes you have to go strong,' he said after the thumping win over Arsenal. 'I understand very well that I took a risk because a lot of people didn't understand.
'I read that it only took two months for Tottenham to make Conte crazy! I remember very well [that] I was the crazy [one]. Sometimes coaches have a strategy and the strategy is the stick or the carrott. At the time, all of the environment needed the stick. Myself was the first person because I hit myself. And then the others.
'Before saying something wrong about the players or the situation, the first to take the blame has to the manager. The manager has to address the situation. At the time, I thought it was right to go strong to try to change the situation. At the time, in my opinion no-one could think with two games to go, Tottenham could fight for the Champions League.
'Instead now, we are there and from that step we improved a lot. Also, there are moments when everyone has to take responsibility. The manager is the first, then the players, the club and all the employees of Tottenham. Because we win and we lose together.'
Tottenham must now win their last two games - at home to Burnley and away to already relegated Norwich - and hope Arsenal slip up against Newcastle away or Everton at home.
Conte's name reverberated around the stadium during a joyous night for the home support, and the Italian was asked whether he feels more connected to life at Tottenham after months of rumours he could walk out.
He said: 'From the moment I came into the club -- and in every club I worked in in the past -- I go totally with my heart, mind and head. Totally. 100 per cent and more.
'This is my characteristic. I'm a passionate person. I think I showed this passion. I think to see me afterwards sometimes on TV, it's not simple to see me in this way. I'm very passionate, I'm this way. I like to go totally into the club where I work.
'I know that only in this way I'm able to give everything. And also, to find the way to recieve everything from my players, my club and the fans. Because if I'm the first person to give 200 per cent, then for sure I can ask for this [in return].'
Conte confirmed left-back Sergio Reguilon would be out for the rest of the season with a groin injury, while Cristian Romero - who missed the North London Derby with a hip problem - would also not play again in this campaign.
Davinson Sanchez stepped up in Romero's place having not started a game since February, and Conte was keen to sing his praises for working hard in training and staying focused to put in a solid display despite his lack of action.
' For sure [Romero] was a big loss for us but at the same time I want to praise Davinson Sanchez's performance.
'To have in the squad these guys, like [Davinson] and like Joe [Rodon], players who if they don't play every game, they stay focused and work very hard and then when there is the situation when they have to play, they show they're in fantastic form. It's right to praise [Davinson] for the game he played tonight.
He also addressed comments from Son Heung-min, who admitted he was 'disappointed' to be taken off in the 72nd minute despite netting his 21st goal of the season as he chases Mohamed Salah - who is on 22 - in the race for the Golden Boot.
Conte said the substitution was a 'strategy' to keep pushing Son to score more goals in the final too games - and that he was also eager for the South Korean and Dejan Kulusevski to have more rest ahead of two massive matches.
'It was a strategy! A strategy because in this way I push him on Sunday to try to score and not be relaxed and stay top scorer,' he said.
'Because now he has one goal less than Salah. No, I'm joking. I wanted to give him and Deki a bit of rest because on Sunday it will be a sporting war. So to rest players for 20 to 25 minutes was important for us.'
ManjitPaul
0
Yes the low block counter is working very well in EPL.
true everyone have different tactics to reach the top just respect them instead of criticism
Aainstein
0
conte and Tottenham is not good although they win us but is not up to arsenal level at all imagine how we displayed them before the penalty and red card just laugh as the arrangements of referee favour you but i have to remind you of your pains at the last day that we are celebrating for our top 4
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Keep crying 3-0
FRozenPoPcoRn72
0
conte and Tottenham is not good although they win us but is not up to arsenal level at all imagine how we displayed them before the penalty and red card just laugh as the arrangements of referee favour you but i have to remind you of your pains at the last day that we are celebrating for our top 4
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And Arsenal didn't even have his best XI
tiyamstu
0
bus Parker teams scores 3 goals ????
when their counterattack is potent they can score even more goals!
Taanish
0
Conte is subtle bus parker,that's how klopp started, Arsenal is an attacking team,but they still lack Physicality and subtleness to overcome physical and defensive oppositions!
bus Parker teams scores 3 goals ????
Brazilian4ever
1
Any team that beats Arsenal feel like Gods.. It’s the Arsenal Hype that makes you better about yourself!
Semcprsu
3
conte and Tottenham is not good although they win us but is not up to arsenal level at all imagine how we displayed them before the penalty and red card just laugh as the arrangements of referee favour you but i have to remind you of your pains at the last day that we are celebrating for our top 4
Cadcdknsty
2
rcc you
Bornfaceelijah
3
Conte you are the best manager, I didn't just pay attention to you before. You have proved yourself that you are a great coach to me personally. Whether you finish top 4 or not, it shows that you are a winner👏👏 can't wait for next season
besacelmpy
1
You are one of the luckiest Manager.
Yes the low block counter is working very well in EPL.
RichardEro
0
Man U missed out on this man for some stupid "gentleman" reason. They want more a gentle man than they want to win trophies. That's why they saw Conte and went for Ole! That's why they were talking about Pochetino before they finally went for Ten-ten ball that they most likely will be sacking before the end of next season.
Oga shut up was tuchel not available before you sign lampard, you forgot how many managers you sacked before settling for tuchel or you forgot tottenham also tried different coach before going for conte Building a team takes time there will always be errors before finding the perfect one So let try Ten hag if he can’t build the team will move on
Single-Bone
5
Man U missed out on this man for some stupid "gentleman" reason. They want more a gentle man than they want to win trophies. That's why they saw Conte and went for Ole! That's why they were talking about Pochetino before they finally went for Ten-ten ball that they most likely will be sacking before the end of next season.
ManjitPaul
1
You are one of the luckiest Manager.
lol kid don't just watch football try to understand it a bit also his tactics are top notch
malone95
2
Damn it ! He should have gone to manutd instead
tiyamstu
1
Conte is subtle bus parker,that's how klopp started, Arsenal is an attacking team,but they still lack Physicality and subtleness to overcome physical and defensive oppositions!
momenhuda
1
After Conte Tottenham look like stable team, very good.
cihadelosz
1
You are one of the luckiest Manager.