‘I feel responsible’: Son Heung-min takes the blame for Antonio Conte’s sacking

March 29, 2023

Tottenham Hotspur striker Son Heung-min has revealed that he feels responsible for Antonio Conte’s calamitous exit, claiming that he could have contributed more to the team.

Conte, who was under contract at the North London side until the end of the season, having signed an initial 18-month deal when he took charge in November 2021, was sacked on March 26th. 

His exit came following a poorly-judged ten-minute rant in which he described his players as ‘selfish’ and launched a scathing assessment of the club’s culture from top to bottom. 

The Italian left Tottenham sitting in fourth position, but with the club in a dour mood after a 3-3 draw with bottom-of-the-table Southampton in his last game. 

Though his release was disclosed on Sunday, it is thought that his exit was a formality, with reports indicating that the main reason he remained in the job for several days following his rant was due to talks over compensation. 

Despite Conte’s outburst being the main reason he was relieved of his duty at the North London side, South Korean international Son has revealed that he feels that he let his manager down. 

After winning the Premier League Golden Boot in Conte’s first year at the club, the 30-year-old has struggled for form this season, with only ten goals and four assists in 37 games across all competitions. 

Speaking in a press conference while on international duty, Son admitted that he ‘couldn’t help the team’ in an up-and-down run of form for the Premier League side.

“I’m very sorry to him,” he began. 

“He is a world-class manager. We had a 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. 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.”

Son managed 30 goals and 12 assists in 69 matches under Conte. But he failed to shine in the Italian’s second season in charge.

See also  Emerson Royal out for most of the season

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