Richarlison’s explosive Antonio Conte rant after Tottenham Hotspur’s Champions League exit

It doesn’t take much to tip things over the edge in soccer, especially in defeat. That’s exactly what happened with Tottenham Hotspur last night as they were knocked out of the Champions League by Milan. A great defensive performance by the Italians in London allowed Stefano Pioli’s side to qualify for the quarter-finals. On the flip side of the coin, dark clouds are starting to circulate over the head of Spurs coach Antonio Conte and Richarlison has done little to brighten the mood.

Will Antonio Conte continue as Spurs boss?

The debate about whether the former Juventus manager should continue in his post has never been more intense, although it is once which Conte himself sought to play down after the game. “Today is not the day to talk and discuss my future. I have a contract until the end of the season and Tottenham knows my thoughts very well… at the end of the season we will talk”.

Despite their elimination from the Champions League, Spurs remain in a good position to qualify for next season’s competition. They currently sit in fourth place in the Premier League behind Manchester United, although Liverpool and Newcastle United are breathing down their necks. Would a top-four finish be enough to convince Conte to continue?

Why did Richarlison criticise Conte after Milan exit?

Richarlison’s comments following Wednesday’s disappointment suggest that all is not well in the Spurs dressing room. The Brazilian striker pulled no punches after the loss to Milan and Conte was the man on the receiving end. “Honestly, this season has been sh*t. I’m professional, I work hard every day. I want to play. I didn’t understand Conte’s choices. I was having a good spell and Conte put me back on the bench. Yesterday, I was in the starting eleven during training and then... back on the bench, again”.

The 25-year old, who missed part of the season through injury but had hoped to play a key role for Tottenham as they enter the business end of the season, feels as if his coach is holding him back. The Brazilian became the club’s most expensive signing of all-time last summer when he made a €70 million move from Everton, although he has flattered to deceive. Richarlison’s last Spurs goal came in September, he has had very little game time and received plenty of criticism, which all seems to have got too much for him.

Richarlison “just can’t understand” Conte

“When I’m on the field, I fight to the death,” he told the press on Wednesday night. “Yesterday, they told me to do an exercise in the gym. Conte told me that if I did it well, I’d play. But when it came to the game, he put me on the bench. These are things you just can’t understand. We can’t play like that when we need a goal. I think he had to get the team to play further forward, especially in the second half”.

Will Richarlison and Conte be able to patch things up as Spurs look for a way back into the Champions League next season? ‘Will they get the chance to?’ may be a more pertinent question.