Tottenham and Antonio Conte hold CRISIS TALKS after Italian’s explosive rant

Tottenham and Antonio Conte have held crisis talks following a stunning verbal assault on his players with chairman Daniel Levy set to gauge opinion before deciding his head coach’s future.

The Italian laid into his players during a series of explosive post-match interviews in which he questioned their desire and attitude.

Conte also appeared to take aim at the Spurs board during his extraordinary and sustained rant.

But during talks on Saturday night, Conte is understood to have explained to members of the board that his comments were only aimed at the players and not the hierarchy.

It is understood Levy has accepted Conte’s version of events and the Italian remained in his role on Sunday morning.

Antonio Conte (pictured) and Tottenham have held crisis talks following his explosive rant 

Daniel Levy is set to gauge opinion before making a decision on the manager’s future 

The London side threw away a 3-1 lead at St Mary’s on Saturday afternoon, drawing 3-3

The former Chelsea boss, however, remains at risk with Levy preparing to speak to his most trusted confidants this week over the matter.

Tottenham don’t play again until April 3, when they travel to Everton, meaning Levy is under no immediate rush to make a decision.

Players and staff have been given a few days off; in usual circumstances Conte would use the opportunity to return to Italy to see his family who still live in Turin.

After the recent feeble Champions League exit to AC Milan, the feeling transmitting from well-placed sources was that the club was committed to continuing with Conte until the end of the season, when he is expected to leave.

However, the sense emanating on Sunday was that the situation was no longer so definitive.

Conte will almost certainly leave the club at the end of the season when his contract expires with no appetite from either party to trigger a 12 month extension clause.

After the game Conte delivered an explosive press conference taking aim at his players

Conte will almost certainly leave the club at the end of the season when his contract expires

James Ward-Prowse (left) levelled in the 93rd minute of the match to bring the scores level

Sportsmail revealed this month that Levy would only sack Conte before his contract expires in the summer if he felt his presence was having a detrimental impact on their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.

And with Conte’s comments sure to further fracture an already difficult relationship between owner and head coach, Levy may yet accelerate his exit if he believes the boss’ volcanic outburst will damage the team’s top-four chances.

A number of players have grown irritated by Conte’s manner and intensity and believe the negativity he conveys in public has affected morale.

Saturday’s scathing criticism of the squad has not landed well with several players, with the disconnect between Conte and his team worsening.