Antonio Conte blames fans’ lack of patience for Tottenham’s woes

Tottenham boss Antonio Conte has hinted that fans’ lack of patience hasn’t helped his team in their failed attempt to win silverware this season.

Spurs are delivered without a trophy for the 15th straight season after being eliminated from the FA Cup and Champions League this month.

It’s put pressure on Conte, who is expected to leave at the end of the season, and he took aim at fans ahead of Nottingham Forest’s visit on Saturday.

Fanbase frustration has mounted and the team were booed at half-time and the finals of Wednesday’s stale goalless draw against AC Milan, but the veteran Italian, who has won at Inter Milan, Chelsea and Juventus in the past, quashed it out harm of their restlessness.

“It’s not up to me to say if the atmosphere is good or not,” said Conte.

“I continue to tell you that this is where patience for the fans has run out. The fans want to win a trophy.

“The patience of the fans is at an end and we feel that. I feel it, the players feel it. It certainly didn’t help the situation.

“I said the club knows the situation very well. The situation is not easy. It is not easy. I repeat, because the environment wants to win and we’re not around at the moment, in my opinion, OK, yes? That’s the reality.

“There is no patience. I ask for time and patience, but I see that patience is running out. Maybe the fans are right, but you don’t build victory in one day, you build it in two days.

“It is difficult for me to realize this situation. It’s difficult because I give everything, myself and the staff, to help the club and try to build something, but at the same time I understand that maybe it’s not enough.”

Conte has repeatedly insisted Spurs are far from in contention for titles, but also acknowledged they don’t have the same purchasing power as their rivals.

The 53-year-old thinks creating the “right atmosphere” could get Tottenham closer to victory but has hinted it hasn’t been possible.

Conte added: “I understand that it’s not easy, not easy for the club to invest a lot of money and for sure they will win. Maybe your odds will improve, but we know we’re up against top teams that are putting big bucks into it.

“You have to create the right atmosphere. Not just to invest and invest money to sign new players. It’s not the only way to win.

“Winning is creating the right atmosphere, the right unity, the right spirit, being solid so everyone has the same idea. Putting yourself under pressure, staying stressed, being tired and in this way preparing the club for victory.

“Or you must believe in a miracle and there is a big, big job to do here. OK? But I see that there is no patience. I can take anything, but I don’t want to kill myself.

“I remember very well when I arrived at this club everyone said: ‘Now we have Conte – he won in the past, so now we’re going to win!’ But we have to win together.

“We have to create the right situation. I can teach you the way to victory, but you must follow me and be patient. I need time and patience and I understood that I had that.

“Maybe I have time because the club can give me that, but I think there is no patience (from the fans) at the club.

“I repeat, that makes the situation really, really difficult for me. Maybe my past is punishing me, you know?

“If I were a coach who was a good coach but without a win in my career, I think it would be the perfect situation to enjoy working together and growing, but my past is different. My past brings expectation, high expectation.

“I’m very happy to work and stay here, but at the same time I have to do all the thinking, including for myself. If I just have to put the stress and pressure on myself, that’s not right.”