'If Man United phoned he'd go' - Spurs warned they must back Conte or he'll walk

Spurs' Carabao Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea highlighted the need for investment in the squad, as they were easily beaten by their London rivals 3-0 over two legs.

It was another opportunity for a trophy that disappeared for the club as their wait for silverware goes into a 14th year.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy travelled to the Bahamas earlier this month to speak with owner Joe Lewis to discuss the size of the January transfer budget.

Conte has already eyed a number of targets, including Wolves winger Adama Traore, but has yet to bring anyone in.

Former Spurs midfielder Jamie O'Hara has been left concerned by what he has seen from the Italian on the sidelines and recent comments he has made, and has suggested he could walk away if he is not backed.

Conte was linked with the Man United job before they brought in Ralf Rangnick as interim boss in November.

United are still on the hunt for a permanent replacement for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with many fans feeling Conte could be an ideal fit and O'Hara suggesting a move to Old Trafforc could still be on the cards.

"I look at Antonio Conte, and I haven't seen his interviews after tonight's game, but the last few I've seen of him he looks defeated," O'Hara told talkSPORT.

"He's not the same on the side as he was when he first came in. He looks like he's lost the passion a little bit.

"He's looking at the side thinking 'what chance have I got'. He's having to play Doherty left wing-back again.

"The players we've got out there - Emerson Royal we've signed him, Bryan Gil we've signed him this season, it's not good enough.

"Daniel Levy, if he doesn't buy and doesn't bring in some top quality players then Antonio Conte will walk.

"He will walk, I'm telling you. If Manchester United phoned him tomorrow and said 'we want you', he would seriously think about leaving."

Conte revealed he had held talks with Spurs chief Levy and the managing director of football, Fabio Paratici, ahead of the semi-final clash with Chelsea and outlined what he needs to strengthen the squad.

"When you have the possibility to speak to the owner [Levy] and the sporting director … with Paratici I have the possibility to speak every day … but to speak with our owner, it was important," he said.

"Also because I like to be honest and always tell the truth. You know that I don't like to tell a good lie to keep a good relationship or show myself to be very soft or too polite. It was good to tell the truth and it was a good meeting.

"I'd asked the club for time to make my evaluation. They asked me after one month to have a meeting but I said: 'No. I prefer to have another month to make the right evaluation.' To show me who deserves to stay here. Now the situation is very clear and I was satisfied to have this conversation with the owner.

"Now I have only one way - it's on the pitch and the training sessions every day … to improve the level of my players. Then, the club know the situation and, if they want to help me another way, I appreciate it."