With the club's embarrassing Champions League elimination at the hands of AC Milan, Antonio Conte's tenure as manager of Tottenham appears to be quickly coming to an end.
After recovering from gallbladder surgery, the Italian was back on the sidelines on Wednesday, but his optimistic pre-game remarks about igniting his teammates' passion were ineffective.
Following the 0-0 tie in the last 16 of the Champions League, which meant Milan advanced 1-0 on aggregate, the club's long-suffering supporters are finally coming to terms with a 15th consecutive season without a trophy.
At full-time, the atmosphere inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium deteriorated as the home supporters angrily expressed their displeasure.
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The outcome ended a terrible week for Spurs, who also lost at Wolves on Saturday and were eliminated from the FA Cup last week while playing away at second-tier Sheffield United.
These outcomes and Conte's health issues have fueled growing rumours that the Italian's time in charge is winding down.
After the Milan loss, the 53-year-old, whose employment will expire when the current campaign, was coy about his immediate future but acknowledged the club might fire him.
Although I have a contract with Tottenham, who are well aware of my opinions, and we will meet and decide at the end of the season, Conte remarked that there are better times to discuss the future.
"I have a terrific relationship with my chairman, Daniel Levy, and with the director of football, Fabio Paratici, but it doesn't mean I don't communicate my vision to them, do you get it? Then we'll find out.
"We must now complete the season. My contract is up in June. Although I am glad to work in Tottenham, I will ultimately make a decision".
In November 2021, Conte, a Juventus, Chelsea, and Inter Milan winner, entered the Spurs building.
- Football That Is Tactical
However, supporters unwilling to give up the club's aggressive traditions have criticized his pragmatism.
While constantly stating that he believes it is impossible to expect his team to compete with their high-spending Premier League opponents, Conte has expressed dissatisfaction with Tottenham's transfer business.
The Italian has frequently emphasized the necessity to lay the club's groundwork, and on Wednesday, he again pleaded with fans to exercise patience.
"I realize that the fans don't have patience because Tottenham hasn't been successful in a long time, but what I can promise is that we'll keep working very hard to make this club better before we find out what will happen," he said.
Conte has endured a few months off the field and a hard time there.
In addition to losing his former Juventus teammate Gianluca Vialli earlier this year, he lost his friend and Spurs fitness coach Gian Piero Ventrone in October.
Weeks later, he experienced his health issue. Conte missed five games during two recovery periods after having his gallbladder removed.
Although it appears unlikely, Spurs still have, Even though they are fourth in the Premier League, Champions League for the following season.
Even though they are fourth in the Premier League, revitalized Liverpool is just three points behind them with a game in hand.
Spurs must decide whether to continue with Conte in the hopes that he would lead them to victory or fire him in the hopes that a new manager can reinvigorate their quest for the top four.
Club executives must make a critical decision, and time is off their side.
