South Korean attacker Heung Min Son has disclosed that he feels accountable for the ouster of Antonio Conte from Tottenham Hotspur.
Son asserted that he could have provided more to the Spurs team of Antonio Conte before the Italian parted ways with the English side.
The attacker has not had a rosy season this campaign in attack following a 2021/22 campaign where he was impressive winning the golden boot.
But this season, he has only managed to muster only 10 goals and 4 assists in 37 appearances across all competitions.
And he has taken the blame that he “couldn’t help the team” in what has been a turbulent campaign for Tottenham Hotspur.
The Lilywhites sit 4th on the Premier League table but they have played two games more than Newcastle United and Liverpool.
Antonio Conte exited the North London side after dishing out an explosive post match conference in which he termed his players as “selfish” and “irresponsible”.
He also went in hard on the management of the club following the 3-3 share of the spoils with Southampton at the Saint Mary’s.
The South Korean has taken the blame for his previous gaffer’s exit in a post match conference during international engagements.
Son said: “I’m very sorry to him, He is a World-class manager, we had great journey together, I thank him a lot. I do not know how other players are thinking about him, but I’m sorry to him.
“I should have shown more but I couldn’t.”
Heung Min Son took the responsibility as he further said:
“I couldn’t help the team and I feel responsible as he left the club.
“He surely has great ability and experience as a coach and I’m sure he’ll have great success in his other career.”
Antonio Conte joined Tottenham Hotspur as one of the most high profile coaches currently in European football, having lifted league trophies with three separate teams but he couldn’t replicate that at Spurs.
Conte speaking in his last post match presser as manager of Tottenham Hotspur said: “They are used to it here, They don’t play for something important. They don’t want to play under pressure. They don’t want to play under stress. It is easy in this way. Tottenham’s story is this.
“I said I wanted to see the fire and I have not seen it. I said that I want to see the fire in their eyes, in their hearts.
He further said:
“I want to see the right spirit. Not only in the training session, but on the pitch because it is here you make the difference.
“Until now, I try to hide the situation but there are 10 games to go and some people think we can fight. Fight for what? With this spirit, this attitude, this commitment? What? For seventh, eighth, 10th place?’.
And even though the South Korean seemingly had a healthy relationship with Conte, other members of the squad were angry at the statements made by the Italian.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg demanded from Antonio Conte to expatiate after he blamed the players of being unprofessional.
Hojbjerg said: “I understand that if you want to be successful as a team, you need 11 men who are committed to a project and a culture. But I think he has to elaborate on how he feels before you as a player can start measuring and weighing.”
Although his exit was revealed on Sunday, it is presumed that his departure was a formality with information indicating that the sole reason why he stayed in the job for many days after his raging interview was because of his severance payment.
Conte was on an 18 month deal before both parties parted ways
Antonio Conte had a deal still running till the conclusion of the campaign, having put pen-to-paper on an initial 18 month contract when he became manager In November 2021.
Meanwhile, The chairman of Tottenham Hotspur has called for all attention to be fixated on the remaining matches this campaign, in order to ensure the club finishes in a Champions League spot for next season.
Daniel Levy said: “We have 10 Premier League games remaining and we have a fight on our hands for a Champions League place. We all need to pull together. Everyone has to step up to ensure the highest possible finish for our Club and amazing, loyal supporters.”
