Former West Ham striker turned pundit Frank McAvennie has revealed he is shocked by the news that Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy consulted his players before sacking Antonio Conte.
Tottenham parted ways with Antonio Conte at the end of March after a tumultuous season of poor results and behind-the-scenes issues left both parties with no choice but to call it a day.
The Italian had publicly criticised his players and the club’s ambition in a post-match press conference after a 3-3 draw against Southampton. The outburst ultimately paved the way for the decision to relieve him of his duties.
Conte’s former assistant, Cristian Stellini, then took over the reins but he too was dismissed after the embarrassing 6-1 defeat against Newcastle last weekend.
In both instances, it has been revealed that Levy spoke to key players before making the decisions, as part of a four-man player committee he assembled at the club.
The players involved are thought to be Harry Kane, Hugo Lloris, Eric Dier, and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Guardian).
Speaking to Football Insider, McAvennie lambasted this move from Levy and thinks a chairman should never operate this way when it comes to managerial decisions.
He said: “I heard something that baffled me. The chairman Daniel Levy spoke to a consortium of players, people like Eric Dier, about sacking the manager.
“What is all that about? I can’t understand that. Football is going crazy. What has it got to do with the players?
“You are Daniel Levy, you are the chairman. You speak to the guy that owns it and you do it, you do not speak to players.”
Spurs Web Opinion
I do think that listening to the players’ thoughts is important at a football club, but ultimately any decision on the manager should come from the very top.
I would imagine it wasn’t a case of Levy simply doing what the players tell him to, more gaining an insight into the feeling within the dressing room.
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