Let’s pretend Conte might still happen

Antonio Conte has won five titles in the past seven years. This. This should be enough for us to welcome him with open arms before gently whispering, ‘lad you fucking mad coming here, we aint a league title winning side’. Then a push towards the exit where he collects his severance pay and once more Spurs remain a poisoned chalice. Or do they? Do we need a project? Are we primed for Pochettino over anyone else or is it too early to welcome Dad back into the fold? If Conte isn’t a project, what is he?

Not sure how certain he is to join right now considering what’s happened in the last week with talks breaking down but let’s pretend it’s still on. And if you don’t like pretending and prefer ‘doing’ then check out this unibet sign up offer.

Another short term attempt at immediate glory? Are we perhaps under-estimating our potential? The fact that Jose Mourinho bottled playing expansive football in a dead season of form (for most sides) and wasted twenty points or so from winning positions is either an indication of what we might be able to do with fine tuning or……we need that rebuild.

See Spurs haven’t got that bulk of players to allow someone to just come in and change things super quickly towards a positive uptake of momentum. Not based on last season. Because placing aside your opinions of Jose for a moment, we still need to bolster key areas of the team. We still need time to get any given group of players we possess into a side with identity and style and – most importantly – output. Conte is someone with a relentless work ethic and animated emotions. A coach that commands respect for he is proven rather than someone that has yet to prove or perhaps did so once upon a time.

I’m on a comedown, no doubt, from believing Poch was on his way back. He will be, some day, I know this. He’s destined to return. Bit like Jesus just without the fish and wine. But until then, it appears we are stuck still trying to work out the winning formula.

You could argue that Daniel Levy is once again making a repeated mistake; seeking that immediate output rather than thinking longer term. Spurs still need that rebuild and no doubt if Harry Kane does leave this summer, it will finally begin. But is there really any perfect choice in terms of appointing a new boss?

Poch would still be a risk. Coming back from a two year sabbatical when perhaps he’s still not quite crafted that spiteful siege mentality attitude he requires to make sure he can best the best in the Premier League. You need to be a master of kidology to place pressure onto your opponents. The game is won in the mind of the managers and officials as well as the feet of the players.

Any other coach would be risky too. Potter, for example. But Potter or Poch would be a far less pressured expectancy (we hope) in that time would be permitted to play out without a venomous demand for immediate success. Either of these two could perhaps look to change the clubs culture and return to a more structured philosophy from the ground up. But do we have time for this? Does football allow us to think about identity to this degree of detail?

Having the club create a blueprint that welcomes only coaches that fit it, is the dream. But right now, I think we’re all a bit desperate and this includes Levy. Which is why we could all argue this is yet another brand and statue exercise is aiming high without the need to go into the details.

Conte will still arrive with high expectations because of his record, because he’s an actual winner. Hopefully he’s own psychology is to want to continue his streak. That he isn’t here to be another collector of coins when sacked. That he’s here to accept that Spurs is simply a logistical conundrum that requires solving. A test that nobody has passed. But the real test is working with Levy and the obstacles we always seem to create for ourselves.

Imagine Conte wins things with Tottenham and changes the narrative. That in its self should be the impetus and desire that he has for the job. Of course, doing so would be dependent on Levy. If our chairman can actually take a step back whilst making a huge step forward (and let his appointed manager led) then we might be able to solidify our short term momentum into something far more long term. Thus making the next project an easier transition off the back of tangible progress and success.

Spurs have been stuck at the airport waiting like Tom Hanks in The Terminal. Everyone else is flying whilst we stare up at the sky. 

Fabio Paratici’s arrival as a Sporting Director will hopefully indicate that Levy has finally settled on some new jet engines. Time to soar Spurs. Just make sure there’s a spare parachute for me so I can jump out before we come crashing back down to earth.