Having struggled for form so far this season, Tottenham Hotspur winger Heung-Min Son has said that he feels responsible for the sacking of Antonio Conte.
The Italian gaffer was given his marching orders during the international break, following their exit to AC Milan in the last-16 of the Champions League and an underwhelming 3 – 3 draw with struggling Southampton.
Conte fired shots at the players and the board, hinting a general lack of desire as the reason for their trophy drought. This sealed his fate at the North London club.
Son, who finished the previous season as the joint top-scorer in the Premier League has only managed to score six goals this season, with his hat-trick against Leicester early in the season accounting for half his goals.
“As a player, I am really sorry. He’s a world-class coach, and we had a great journey together,” Son said after South Korea’s 2-1 friendly loss to Uruguay in Seoul on Tuesday.
“I should have played better. I feel responsible for his departure, because I haven’t helped the club all that much.
“I am grateful for what he’s done. He’s such a great coach and has so much experience. I will be rooting for him.”
Tottenham’s managing director of football, Fabio Patrici said Conte’s departure was “in the best interest of everyone”.
The Italian said:
“The club supported him a lot and everyone was close to each other but then we arrived at this mutual agreement.
“I think the decision we made was the right decision for everyone.”
Paratici added: “Everyone has to be focused on the last part of the season.
“We don’t want to talk about other coaches or follow the speculation in the media. We are focusing on helping Cristian and Ryan.”
Christian Stellini has been put in charge temporarily with Ryan Mason appointed as his assistant.
