Antonio Conte hints at long-term Tottenham Hotspur stay

The Premier League and Serie A title-winner signed a contract with Tottenham until 2023 upon his arrival last year, but his future was called into question after just a couple of months in the job.

Conte memorably flirted with an early exit from the Lilywhites after their 1-0 loss to Burnley back in February, telling the media: "I came in to try to improve the situation in Tottenham but maybe in this moment, I don't know, I'm not so good to improve the situation.

"When this type of situation happens, maybe there is something wrong. I don't want to close my eyes, I want to take my responsibility, if I have the responsibility. I am open, I am open for every decision because I want to help Tottenham.

"From the first day I arrived here I want to help Tottenham. I repeat: I am too honest to close my eyes and continue in this way, and also take my salary. But it's not right in this moment."

However, Spurs turned their season around and ultimately pipped Arsenal to the fourth and final Champions League spot, which led to Conte confirming that he would stay on for the 2022-23 season.

The 53-year-old is currently due to leave his post at the end of this season, but he has affirmed that the "best situation" for Tottenham would be for a manager to continue at the club for a number of years.

"I think so [it is the best way to go]. If you are with the same manager for many years, you bring continuity and you continue ambition," football.london quotes Conte as saying in Thursday's press conference.

"It's the best situation for the club to improve and to grow season by season. The vision is one, it's not another vision with another manager.

"For sure to have a coach for many years you reduce the time because you give continuity to the work with the manager and the players. For me after seven months it's easier to work with the players. You know each other."

Tottenham have already made six signings in the summer window, with Richarlison, Ivan Perisic, Fraser Forster, Yves Bissouma, Djed Spence and Clement Lenglet arriving at Hotspur Way.

Conte, though, has hinted that the Lilywhites may not be done in the current market just yet, adding: "For sure we are trying to do things with common sense. I know only this way. It's not simple.

"You have to try to not make mistakes, especially in the transfer window with the club. But I think we're doing good things. If you want to fight for important achievements, then you have to work and work to improve in every moment to improve the club."

Tottenham will open their Premier League season at home to Southampton on Saturday, and Conte has confirmed that Oliver Skipp will be his only confirmed injury absentee with a hairline heel fracture and foot laceration, while Richarlison is suspended.

Bissouma will also need to be assessed after a knock, and Conte is yet to decide whether Perisic or Ryan Sessegnon will get the nod at left-wing back.