Antonio Conte's reputation as a manager could be damaged if he stays at Tottenham, according to Leeds Legend John Giles.
Conte voiced his disappointment with the January transfer window, saying it was “not easy” for his club and that his squad was 'weakened' by selling players.
The window saw the club miss out on deals for Adama Traore and Luis Diaz, bringing in Juventus pair Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur on deadline day.
The club also shifted some out-of-favour players with Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso leaving on loan and Dele Alli joining Everton.
“I saw some situations from the outside that could be developed, but when you get into it, you realise something", Conte told Sky Italia.
“What happened in January is not easy. Four players left in January. Four important players for Tottenham, two have arrived. So even numerically instead of reinforcing yourself you may have, on paper, weakened.”
“The vision, the philosophy of the club is this. It is inevitable that if you want to grow faster and if you want to be competitive more quickly you need players with a lot of experience because they also lead to an increase in experience in your team."
🗣️ "I think he was taken a bit by surprise."
John Giles thinks Antonio Conte might be better off leaving Spurs at the end of the season.
🗣️ "If that continues, I wouldn't be surprised if he left in the summer."
Football with @SkyIreland pic.twitter.com/GArR1wqPYI— Off The Ball (@offtheball) February 17, 2022
While Giles admitted that Conte shouldn't be surprised by the situation - given the much-reported frivolous manner Daniel Levy runs the club - he says that he wouldn't be surprised if the Italian left the club in summer as a result.
"Anybody going into Spurs should know that this is Daniel Levy's club and this is the way he's going to do it.", Giles told Off The Ball.
"He seems to be dissatisfied with the situation. If that continues, I wouldn't be surprised if he left in the summer."
As for whether another acrimonious exit from a club would damage Conte's reputation, Giles feels it could damage him more to stay in a situation he's unhappy with.
"What he could do that would damage his reputation is stay and try to work around this situation. In my opinion, you can't."
"It is what it is, and I don't thin Daniel Levy will change his ways."
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