Tottenham plan to stick by Conte for the immediate future but Daniel Levy could be forced to act

Tottenham have no immediate plans to sack Antonio Conte but chairman Daniel Levy is ready to intervene if he believes the club’s Champions League hopes are imploding.

Levy is currently leaving the club’s football operational staff – led by sporting director Fabio Paratici – to handle the future of the head coach’s position amid growing internal scrutiny over Conte’s role.

The Italian coach himself admitted that the Tottenham board may even be considering ending his tenure as boss following the team’s feeble Champions League exit to AC Milan on Wednesday night – a development that means Spurs’ spell without a major trophy will extend into a 14th year.

As revealed by Sportsmail on Monday, Conte is expected to leave the north London club before the start of next season when his current contract is due to expire with no appetite from the former Chelsea boss or from within Tottenham to trigger a 12-month option to extend his deal.

And for the time being, Conte is expected to be in charge for Saturday’s home clash against Nottingham Forest with the club’s footballing operation determined to stick by the 53-year-old despite the uncertainty over his long-term future. 

Tottenham have no immediate plans to sack Antonio Conte despite their dismal run of form

But Daniel Levy (R) is ready to act if he thinks their Champions League hopes are imploding

Despite the reality of ending yet another season without a trophy, Tottenham are currently fourth in the Premier League with a good chance of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

Levy does not want to make any decisions that may prove detrimental to the team’s chances of finishing in the top four given the financial benefits at stake.

However, there is a feeling at Tottenham that the Spurs supremo is prepared to take matters into his own hands if he senses Conte remaining in charge is damaging the team’s chances of a top-four finish.

A defeat to Forest this weekend could provide Levy with a decision to make.

Tottenham will not face a huge compensation bill if they were to sever ties with Conte before his contract expires in June.

The bill for sacking Conte, who earns £15million a year, will not exceed £5m.

Because the 12 month option to extend Conte’s deal lies with Tottenham – they are not obliged to pay their head coach the full amount of that extra year.

Work on a succession plan for Conte, however, has already begun behind the scenes.

Mauricio Pochettino, Steve Cooper, Roberto De Zerbi, Olivier Glasner and Luis Enrique are among the coaches who are options for Tottenham.

Paratici has been heavily involved in identifying potential candidates to replace Conte, should they part ways.

But even his future at Tottenham is uncertain as Paratici awaits news of his appeal after being found guilty of financial wrongdoing in Italy in relation to alleged offences during his spell with Juventus.

Pochettino’s potential return to Spurs will excite supporters, and perhaps help the club persuade talisman Harry Kane – who will not decide how he intends to proceed with his future ahead of next season until he talks to Levy in the summer – into committing to another new contract.

However, there is not unanimous support for the re-appointment of the Argentine, although Levy is understood to be among those who sees the merits of a possible Pochettino return.

Conte’s likely exit will help placate a clutch of players at Tottenham who have grown tired of the Italian’s intense regime, with the coach’s penchant for changing the team’s training schedule a particular gripe.

There is also concern at the lack of opportunities for academy players since Conte’s appointment in November 2021.

 Spurs crashed out of the Champions League on Wednesday, being dumped out by AC Milan

The club are tempted by a reunion with Mauricio Pochettino who could convince Kane to stay

Signs of hostilities towards the manager from squad were amplified after the midweek Champions League exit to AC Milan when Richarlison questioned Conte’s man-management.

‘I didn’t understand – I was playing well, we won against Chelsea and West Ham and suddenly I was on the bench. I played five minutes against Wolves, asked the reason and no-one told me why,’ said the Brazilian.

‘They asked me to take a fitness test in the gym and told me I was going to start if I passed it. And I was on the bench, there are things I can’t understand.

‘There was no explanation again, let’s see what he (Conte) will tell us but I’m not silly – I’m a professional that works hard every day and I want to play.’