Matt Doherty urges Tottenham to ‘stick by’ Antonio Conte as he launches staunch defence of Spurs boss | OneFootball

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att Doherty has urged Tottenham to keep Antonio Conte at the club and resist calls to sack the Italian.

It is believed that Conte has taken charge of his last match as Spurs boss, with the Italian set to lose his job during the international break before Tottenham return to action with a trip to face Everton on April 3.

Ryan Mason is the leading candidate to be placed in interim charge of the club until the end of the season, before a permanent appointment is made in the summer.

The Spurs squad believe Conte will be sacked, and that relationship is increasingly strained after his incredibly strong criticism following the draw with Southampton last time out further darkened the mood at the club.

However, Doherty has come out in defence of his former manager. The defender left Spurs on deadline day in January and joined Atletico Madrid on a free transfer, after his contract was mutually terminated as Tottenham were unable to loan out any more players.

“I hope he stays for a long time at Tottenham,” Doherty said in a press conference while on international duty with Ireland.

“He’s an unbelievable coach, an unbelievable manager. He won’t say anything in the press that he won’t say to his players, he’s completely honest with his players, has the passion for the whole club.

“I hope Tottenham stick by him and hold onto him for as long as possible, he’s one of the best managers of all time.”