24 January 2023 , 00:33
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Antonio Conte has insisted he is "proud" to be Tottenham manager amid reports he is set to leave the club at the end of the season.
The Italian has been visibly frustrated for large portions of this campaign, with his contract set to expire in the summer. After a difficult run of three defeats in their last four top-flight games, Conte oversaw a narrow win over Fulham on Monday night.
And he appeared to hit back at the questions over his commitment to Spurs following that morale-boosting victory. As he approached the stand containing the Tottenham fans, Conte clapped the supporters before passionately pumping his fists.
The Italian could also be seen shouting in celebration before walking away down the tunnel with Richarlison. And during his post-match media duties, the Italian reaffirmed his commitment to Spurs.
“I’m really proud to be Tottenham manager. To be the manager of an important club like Tottenham makes me proud. And this needs to be clear to everybody," Conte told Sky Sports.
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“I have good players, but especially good men. They have to understand that if they want to fight for everything, we have to suffer. And we are willing to suffer. I’m happy. But I always say this. I said when I became Tottenham manager, I’m happy.
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Harry Kane scored a stunning goal to secure the win over Fulham (Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I)"And I’m happy. In every moment, in every second of my day, my first thoughts are on my players, on my club, to improve, to make the fans proud of my team. The Premier League is not simple, it’s really difficult.
"There are many clubs with a lot of money to improve their team. But I think we are in he right position. And then we will see. The most important thing for me is to work with my players and my club, and from then we will see.”
As well as Tottenham's struggles, Conte has also had to deal with the tragic deaths of several of his friends. And Spurs' match-winner Harry Kane insisted he would step up to help support his manager.
"He’s been through a difficult time, I guess outside of football with his personal life, and being part of a team isn’t just the players on the pitch, it’s the manager and the staff and being there for each other," Kane told Sky Sports.
"We want to win every game for him, he puts so much passion and effort into every game, every training session, and we want to repay him with victories. We had a good meeting amongst ourselves and the manager in the week to get back to what we’re good at.
"And we’re going to keep fighting. The manager is a fighter, a very passionate manager, and we’ve just to keep working hard for him."
Tottenham are next in action in the FA Cup on Saturday when they travel to Championship side Preston North End. They now sit three points off the top four, having played a game more than Manchester United, who currently sit in the final Champions League qualification position.