Former Tottenham captain Hugo Lloris has identified the 2022 World Cup as the moment Antonio Conte’s promising reign began to unravel in north London.
Lloris enjoyed working under Conte and Jose Mourinho because both managers demanded consistently high standards from their players.
The goalkeeper said their intensity made him feel like a young player again, despite arriving at those stages of his career with considerable club and international experience.
However, Lloris believes the mood around Spurs changed dramatically when he returned from Qatar after France’s defeat by Argentina in the World Cup final.
Speaking to Rio Ferdinand Presents, Lloris said Conte’s first six months had worked well before the mid-season tournament disrupted Tottenham’s progress.
Lloris felt Tottenham atmosphere become ‘really heavy’
Lloris returned to Hotspur Way after receiving only four or five days away from football following France’s run to the final.
The former Spurs captain admitted he felt completely drained and immediately noticed a heavier atmosphere inside the club.
Tottenham struggled to establish consistent performances after the restart. Lloris also described Conte’s system as “really robotic” and questioned the growing separation between the head coach and his players.
He believes elite coaching still requires a human connection inside the dressing room, even when the tactical and physical demands remain intense.
Conte had initially guided Tottenham back into the Champions League after taking charge during the 2021/22 campaign. His relationship with the club deteriorated during the following season before he left in March 2023.
Lloris remained captain throughout Conte’s spell and had a close view of the decline. The Frenchman, who ranks second among Tottenham’s leading goalkeepers for clean sheets, believes the World Cup interruption left the squad struggling to recover its previous rhythm.
His account offers a revealing explanation for how a strong start under Conte ended in frustration.
