Fabio Paratici says Antonio Conte leaving Tottenham was ‘the right decision for everyone’ (Picture: Getty Images)
Tottenham managing director Fabio Paratici has spoken out about Antonio Conte’s exit, describing it as the ‘right decision for everyone’ but refusing to be drawn on speculation over his replacement.
Conte left Spurs on Sunday night by mutual consent after a turbulent time at the club which saw the Italian unleash a remarkable press conference rant, slamming his players and the culture at Tottenham.
His position was untenable after that and he has not moved on, with assistant Cristian Stellini taking charge alongside long-term coach Ryan Mason.
Paratici, who had a close relationship with Conte, having also worked together at Juventus, and recognised that he ahs been going through a very tough time personally over the last few months.
‘About Antonio … we know how difficult this season has been for him personally. Gian Piero [Ventrone] died and [Gianluca] Vialli and [Sinisa] Mihajlovic and his surgery,’ Paratici said in a post on Tottenham’s social media channels.
‘The club supported him a lot about it and everyone [supported] each other but then we arrived at this mutual agreement and the decision we made was the right decision for everyone.
‘So Cristian [Stellini] managed the team when Antonio was sick this season and was good.
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‘He has a lot of experience as a second and has been first [team] coach some years in the past. But then we have Ryan Mason who can help him a lot as he’s been a part of this club for a long time and he knows everything about this club and this group of players. So I think we are really, really confident that this two person [team] can make a very good job.
‘The players don’t have to change habit or style of training. To change everything with just 10 games to go would be very difficult on the players.’
Julian Nagelsmann is the favourite to take the job permanently, with Mauricio Pochettino still in the frame to return, but Paratici is happy with Stellini for now.
‘We don’t want to speak about other coaches, or follow the speculation in the media because it is just speculation, we are focussed and now concentrating on helping Cristian, the staff, Ryan, the players,’ he said.
‘I think today we have to be focused on our squad and our manager because it is an important moment.’
Spurs return to Premier League action on Monday night at Everton.
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‘The decision we made was the right decision for everyone.’