LONDON, Feb 13, 2023 (BSS/AFP) - Humbled by Tottenham's trashing at

Leicester, Antonio Conte's future looks more uncertain than ever as the
Italian leads his spluttering side into Tuesday's Champions League clash
against AC Milan.

Conte is back in Italy for the last 16 first leg tie just two weeks after
undergoing gallbladder surgery in his homeland and his return is likely to be
just as uncomfortable as his previous visit.

The Tottenham boss has looked increasingly unsettled this season and, with
his contract expiring at the end of the campaign, it would be little surprise
if he decided to quit the Premier League club in May.

Conte has expressed unhappiness at Tottenham's transfer dealings, while
repeatedly making it clear he believes it is unrealistic to expect his side
to compete with their big-spending Premier League rivals.

Tottenham are still waiting for a first major trophy since 2008 and the
team's dour displays under Conte have hardly convinced frustrated fans that
he is the man to end the drought.

The nadir in Tottenham's spluttering season came in a 4-1 rout at Leicester
on Saturday in Conte's return to the dugout after his operation.

It has been a week from hell for Tottenham since Harry Kane became the club's
all-time leading scorer with the winner against Manchester City, a match
Conte missed while recuperating.

Already rocked by an injury to France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris that will rule
out the Tottenham captain for six weeks, Conte has also had to deal with
injuries to Yves Bissouma, Ryan Sessegnon and Rodrigo Bentancur in the last
seven days.

In the circumstances, perhaps it wasn't surprising that Conte cut a subdued
figure at Leicester, rarely rising from his seat on the bench in contrast to
his usual animated personality.

Conte's health problems have precluded him from speaking in public, which
might be just as well after Tottenham's wretched capitulation.

- 'A long process' -

The 53-year-old ceded media duties to his assistant Cristian Stellini, who
bemoaned Tottenham's surrender.

"The team has to change something. Not only individually. It's about the
desire," Stellini said.

"There is not an explanation because if you know what happens, you can change
this. It happened also last season when we beat Manchester City, then lost to
Burnley.

"To be consistent is a long process, a mental process. You have to be better
mentally, better in the approach."

Having Conte at less than 100 percent is not helping Tottenham find a way out
of their predicament.

"We spoke before the game and during the game but Antonio feels the
difference. He takes care of his health so he knows he has to be careful,"
Stellini said.

"He wants to be back because he's our manager and with his passion he can
transfer as well but he needs to be careful in this moment."

Fifth in the Premier League at present, Tottenham were fortunate fourth
placed Newcastle could only draw at Bournemouth and sit just two points clear
of Conte's men.

Even so, Tottenham are far from certain to return to the Champions League
next season.

Failing to finish in the top four would raise questions about whether
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy would want to keep Conte even if the former
Chelsea, Juventus and Inter Milan boss signals he wants to stay.

Against that troubled backdrop, making a long run in this season's Champions
League could be the only way to salve Tottenham's wounds.