Spurs Defender Spence Reflects on ‘Confidence-Shattering’ Experience Under Conte

Tottenham’s full-back Djed Spence has directed some pointed remarks towards former manager Antonio Conte.

Spence acknowledges that his confidence plummeted during Conte’s tenure.

“It was certainly a tough experience,” Spence shared on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast. “I joined the club full of optimism, brimming with confidence after just securing promotion.”

“But then it felt like slamming into a brick wall. It really knocked my confidence, especially being young. It wasn’t pleasant to endure.”

“I recognised at the time that it was really tough. I would come into the club feeling overwhelmed, thinking, ‘What am I doing here?’

“No matter what I did, it seemed like he was never satisfied.

“Even if you performed well, you’d question yourself, wondering, ‘Did I do well?’ since he wasn’t one for giving compliments.”

“Eventually, you reach a stage where you realise you don’t need affirmation from a coach anymore. You just have to accept it.”

“I think I had just one proper conversation with him.”

Spence admits that it was necessary for him to rebuild his confidence after Conte’s departure.

“I think I’ve suffered from being overly modest,” he noted. “I thought things would just unfold without taking action or speaking up. But at times, you need to assert yourself.”

“In my first year at Tottenham, I think I showed too much deference to the players and the environment because it’s Tottenham.”

“Coming from Forest, stepping into the Premier League and joining a top-six club, I thought, ‘Wow, this is enormous.’

“I realise now that I perhaps gave them too much respect, which led to me not believing in myself.”

Spence concluded: “This season is different. I have no time to squander; it’s time to seize the moment.”