Manager Antonio Conte has left Tottenham Hotspur by mutual consent after being in charge for 16 months.
Conte in past weeks called the Spurs players “selfish” and criticised the club’s culture in a remarkable news conference after their recent draw at Southampton.
His departure means Spurs are searching for their fourth permanent manager in four years since Mauricio Pochettino left in 2019.
Tottenham suffered a tame exit to AC Milan in the Champions League earlier in March, after Championship side Sheffield United knocked them out of the FA Cup at the start of the month.
Italian Conte, who had won league titles with former clubs Chelsea, Juventus and Inter Milan, was appointed in November 2021 after Spurs sacked Nuno Espirito Santo.
They struggled for consistency for much of his early tenure before a six-game unbeaten run, including a 3-0 win over rivals Arsenal, secured a top four finish.
But Tottenham’s troubles have continued this season with nine defeats and four draws in 28 league games and questions about the playing style.
His last match in charge saw Tottenham throw away a 3-1 lead to draw at struggling Southampton on 18 March, with Conte launching a furious criticism of his players and the club after the match.
“Tottenham’s story is this: 20 years there is this owner and they never won something. Why?” Conte said.
“Until now I try to hide the situation but not now because, I repeat, I don’t want to see what I have seen today because this is unacceptable and also unacceptable for the fans.”
Tottenham have won one trophy since the ownership group chaired by Levy took over the club in 2001 – the League Cup in 2008 – and have had 11 different managers.
They are fourth in the top flight but are out of all cup competitions
