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Topics: Antonio Conte, Tottenham Hotspur, Richarlison
Lewis Browning
Two key Tottenham players threatened to quit Tottenham if Antonio Conte had not left the club, according to reports.
Conte vacated his role as Spurs manager by mutual consent last week after a bizarre outburst targeting the club’s hierarchy and current squad following a 3-3 draw with Southampton.
The Italian said his players “are not a team” and hinted at their inability to fight for each other on the pitch.
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It has emerged that he seemingly lost some key members of the dressing room with his comments, with Cristian Romero and Richarlison reportedly claiming they would walk out of the club if Conte didn’t.
Argentine journalist Gaston Edul, known for his positive relationship with players in South America – particularly Argentina – told TyC Sports of the negative impact Conte was having on the members of his squad.
He said: “Conte’s relationship with the squad was very bad, it’s needless to say. It’s something that we could see in his words.
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“Some players had given an ultimatum in case he continued.
“Cristian Romero was rethinking about his stay at the club if Conte remained. And as I understand it, the same thing happened with Richarlison, because he treated them very badly. Not only face to face or in a private environment but also publicly. Now the outlook of Tottenham has changed."
Romero has been a mainstay in the Spurs team this year under Conte, though the World Cup winner wasn't tasting the same success at club level as he was with his country.
Richarlison, meanwhile, has been in and out of the team and is still yet to score his first Premier league goal for the club after joining for £60 million from Everton in the summer.
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The Spurs forward has since rubbished the claims he threatened to quit as he took to social media to slam the reports.
On Twitter, he wrote: "Questioning and criticizing me as a player for my performance is part of football and I got it.
"However, telling lies about me, I don't accept! I’ve always had a lot of respect for Conte and for all my coaches."
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Cristian Stellini was placed in charge of Tottenham until the end of the season, when chairman Daniel Levy will almost certainly look to appoint a permanent successor to Conte.
Former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann is among the favourites to take over in north London, while former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is also in the running but Luis Enrique has ruled himself out of contention.