The Arrival of Antonio Conte in 2021 has Changed Tottenham Hotspurs’ Fortunes

Although it is still early days in the Antonio Conte era at Tottenham Hotspur, there is now realistic talk of a top 4 finish, something which, before his arrival, looked like being a non-starter. Although it might seem premature to talk about a return to top-class European soccer action next season, there is no doubt about the new manager’s intentions or managerial quality.

In his last five posts, we have seen the 52-year-old Italian manage Juventus, the Italian national team, Chelsea, Inter, and now Spurs. Top-quality appointments in anybody’s book.

His managerial achievements speak for themselves.

• Champions League winner
• UEFA Cup winner
• Intercontinental Cup winner
• UEFA Supercup winner
• 5 x Serie A Italian Championship titles
• 4 x Italian Supercup titles
• Italian Cup winner

If his record of wins had been with an EPL team rather than the Serie A side, Juventus, his name would rank among the Greatest English Club Managers summary as published by Sportingbet.

The new manager has already made history at Tottenham by being the only Spurs’ manager ever to remain unbeaten in his first seven games. His achievements go on.

• Since being in charge, Spurs have averaged 2.3 points per match. Only Liverpool and Manchester City have managed more.
• Under the previous manager, Nuno Espirito Santo, Tottenham’s scoring rate was 0.9 goals per match. Under Conte, that has risen to 2.0 goals per game.
• When Santo was in charge, Spurs registered only 10.3 shots per game – the poorest shot rate in the EPL. So far in the Conte era, the rate has risen to 12.7.
• The Lilywhites’ defence has improved under Conte. Before, they were conceding on average 1.6 goals per game. Since Conte’s arrival, they now only concede 0.5 goals per game – the lowest rate in the EPL.

Conte’s impact goes on. Since he took charge, the North Londoner’s Expected Goal rate has surged too. Under the previous manager, they recorded an xG rate of 1.1 and an xGA rate of 1.7. Now the xG rate is 2.1, and the xGA rate is 1.1. It’s all to the good.

Conte is the highest rated manager that Tottenham has ever had. Some might argue that plaudit should go to Jose Mourhino, and if he had been in his prime when he managed Spurs, they could have a point. But Conte is only 52 and still very much in his prime, and he celebrates like no one else when his team scores.

Spurs’ future looks a lot brighter under the Italian, and his approach and vigour have even got players like Dele Ali and Harry Winks looking good again.