Stellini claims his relationship with Conte hasn't been affected

Despite Antonio Conte's departure from

, his friendship with Christian Stellini remains unchanged. The decision for Conte to leave the club was mutual, as the team's poor performance had put their position in the top four at risk. After a controversial 3-3 draw with Southampton, Conte had made critical comments about the club.

Christian Stellini has been appointed as the interim manager for Tottenham for the rest of the season, starting with their upcoming match against Everton on Monday. Tottenham has 10 games remaining to secure a position in the Champions League for next season, but concerns over the club's long-term future remain despite Stellini's temporary appointment.

"

I want to clarify that the decision was taken for the best of the club and for everyone,"

he told a press conference,

"Antonio is good. Everyone took the decision altogether for the best of the club.

"My relationship with Antonio is still the same, we're very close and nothing changed between us. I have to say thank you because I have improved a lot in my career under him and it's because of him.

"I did the best for him before, and I'll do the best for him until the end of the season."

Asked whether he felt this was his next step into a managerial career, Stellini added:

"It's the next step to work hard for the next 10 games.

"Nothing has to change in my mind. I'm not here for vanity. I'm here to help this club. I have to be myself. I used myself, my character. We will see what happens during the process.

"We've had not many days together. We had a good day in training and we followed in training what we did in the past."

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