Italy legend and Sky Sport Italia pundit Beppe Bergomi describes the moment he knew it was over between Antonio Conte and Tottenham. ‘I’d never seen him so happy after a defeat.’
It was announced this evening that Conte and Tottenham Hotspur have terminated their contract by mutual consent, a deal that was set to run until June 30.
His assistant manager Cristian Stellini takes over as Head Coach until the end of the season, having already stood in for the coach during his recent time off due to surgery to remove his gallbladder.
Although the timing was surprising, Sky Sport Italia pundit and 1982 World Cup winner Bergomi was not entirely shocked by the developments.
“I’d never seen him so happy after a defeat,” said Bergomi this evening, referring to the 1-0 Champions League loss to Milan at San Siro.
Spurs eventually crashed out of the competition at the Round of 16 following a 0-0 second leg result in London.
“He was smiling, patting people on the back, saying hello to everyone, really relaxed. That was unlike him.”
Conte has made no secret of the fact he misses Italy and wants to be closer to home, especially after losing several friends to serious illness in recent months.