RICHARLISON has hit out suggestions he would have issued an ultimatum over his future if Antonio Conte had stayed at Tottenham – claiming he had a lot of respect for the Italian.
Reports emanating from Argentina claimed the Brazil striker and club team-mate Cristian Romero were considering quitting Spurs if Conte had not left.
It came after Conte laid into his “selfish” players in what would turn out to be an explosive final press conference as Tottenham boss – before he left the club eight days later.
But Richarlison last night took to social media to refute the claims, insisting he was no “mutiny leader”.
Instead he praised Conte for helping him after he joined from Everton for £60million last summer and apologised for not doing more to keep the ex-Chelsea chief in his job.
The 25-year-old wrote: “Questioning and criticising me as a player for my performance is part of football and I get it.
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“However, telling lies about me, I don’t accept! I’ve always had a lot of respect for Conte and for all my coaches.
“He helped me a lot in my coming to the Spurs and, whenever we had a problem (even if it was public) we solved it based on conversation and professionalism — and this he can confirm.
“I wasn’t a mutiny leader against him, it was quite the opposite.
“I’m sorry I didn’t deliver as much as he expected of me and I didn’t do enough for him to stay.
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“When he left, I sent him a message thanking him for everything and wishing him the best because that’s what he deserves!
“On the other hand, the journalist responsible for this awful lie did not even do the least which would be talking to my PR or listening to me. Bad professional and bad character! And shame on you, Tyc Sports!”
Richarlison confessed to having a “s*** season” earlier this month in a lively interview with Portuguese media, having scored in just one game since arriving from the Toffees.
He appeared to criticise Conte and his staff for suggesting he would start against AC Milan in Spurs’ Champions League second leg, which he did not.
Conte later disagreed that the comments about team selection were a pop at him, agreed with Richarlison that his season had been “s***” and branded the forward “selfish” for using the first person “I” rather than “we” during the interview.
Spurs are in flux following the exit of Conte and the fact that the 30-month ban issued to managing director of football Fabio Paratici has been extended worldwide.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
