LONDON -- Antonio Conte has asked Tottenham Hotspur to understand his ambitions if they want long-term success.

Although he insists he is not worried about his short-term contract. The Italian coach replaced Nuno Espirito Santo in November, and has only been contracted to Spurs for 18 months.

After being beaten by Chelsea in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final this weekend, Conte said that Spurs were a mid-table team. Spurs, he said, could not be compared to their London rivals. Conte revealed that there is a big project to build the club.

But to be successful, the former Inter Milan coach asked Spurs to understand his vision. He insists there is no need for long-term contacts to work wholeheartedly for a club. But the important thing is that the club has to respect his work and if he deserves, can extend his contract.

"I'm happy to work with this club, because they give me great resources. But at the same time, you know the club has to know my vision, it has to know my opinion about the situation and especially what our ambitions are."

Conte may be surprised at the size of the gap between Spurs and their rivals, after two months of work. But he admits that he enjoys working with his current team. The Italian coach is also aware that he has to understand the club's situation well.