Antonio Conte has officially left Tottenham Hotspur by mutual agreement, with his assistant manager Cristian Stellini taking over for the rest of the season.
The Italian tactician’s contract was due to expire on June 30 and it was widely believed that Conte had absolutely no intention of signing a new deal.
However, the situation deteriorated rapidly after the Champions League Round of 16 elimination at the hands of Milan.
“We can announce that Head Coach Antonio Conte has left the Club by mutual agreement. We achieved Champions League qualification in Antonio’s first season at the Club. We thank Antonio for his contribution and wish him well for the future,” read a statement.
“Cristian Stellini will take the team as Acting Head Coach for the remainder of the season, along with Ryan Mason as Assistant Head Coach.”
Conte’s rapport with Chairman Daniel Levy collapsed completely in recent weeks, especially with a furious Conte press conference claiming there was a reason this club has won nothing in decades.
“We have 10 Premier League games remaining and we have a fight on our hands for a Champions League place,” said Levy.
“We all need to pull together. Everyone has to step up to ensure the highest possible finish for our Club and amazing, loyal supporters.”
Conte has been repeatedly linked with a return to Italy, for Inter, Juventus or Roma.
Questions had already been raised on his situation when Conte remained in Italy after the break for international duty and did not return to London when the squad resumed training.
Conte had also left Inter by mutual consent with one year of his contract still to run, just days after winning the Serie A title, and received a large sum in compensation.