Tottenham getting back into the top four could take YEARS says Antonio Conte

Tottenham boss Antonio Conte wants a meeting with chairman Daniel Levy to discuss their January transfer plans but warned it could take two or three years for the club to get back into the Champions League. 

Conte met with Levy after his first month in charge but asked for more time to evaluate his squad.

The Italian says he is now ready to outline which areas the club have to improve. Spurs have not finished in the top four since the 2018-2019 campaign and Conte insisted new signings alone might not be enough to propel them into a European spot this season.

‘We had a meeting one month after I took charge but I think it wasn’t the right the time,’ said Conte. ‘Now I’m ready. I’m waiting for the meeting with the club to speak about this. The meeting can tell you everything but it can also tell you nothing.

‘You make qualification for Champions League in years, not in only two or three months or in only one transfer market. Football is not this way.

‘I think that in this moment there are important teams. It will be very difficult.

Tottenham chairman Levy expects Conte to outline which areas the club have to improve

‘To get a place in the Champions League someone has to fail, but it must be a big failure. I think there are four big teams, they are the favourites in this moment.

‘Then there are other teams that try to build with important investment in this year to try to reduce this gap.

‘It’s not only one transfer market. Football is complicated, it’s not only money. You have to build. I’m here to do this but I know it will be very difficult.

‘I want to be honest with everybody.

‘To build something important we need to have time and patience.

‘Now I’m sure, after I made my evaluation in the last two months.’

Conte has overseen progress at Spurs but knows there is a long road ahead for his side