Spurs sack interim manager Cristian Stellini, Ryan Mason takes over coaching duties
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Cristian Stellini has guided Spurs to wins over Manchester City, West Ham United and Chelsea.
PHOTO: AFP
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LONDON – Tottenham Hotspur sacked interim manager Cristian Stellini on Monday after chairman Daniel Levy branded Sunday’s 6-1 defeat by Newcastle United “wholly unacceptable”.
Stellini, put in charge only in March after his former boss Antonio Conte left the club, will be replaced by Ryan Mason with immediate effect. Conte’s long-term assistant won one of his four games in charge, dealing what appears a fatal blow to Spurs’ chances of Champions League football next season.
Tottenham are six points adrift of the top four in the Premier League and have played at least one game more than the sides directly above them. A difficult season hit a new low at St. James’ Park as Spurs were 5-0 down after just 21 minutes.
“Cristian will leave his current role along with his coaching staff,” said Levy. “He stepped in at a difficult point in our season and I want to thank him for the professional manner in which he and his coaching staff have conducted themselves during such a challenging time.”
However, the decision to replace Conte with a member of his backroom staff in the first place has opened Levy up to more criticism from fans.
“We can look at many reasons why it happened and whilst myself, the board, the coaches and players must all take collective responsibility, ultimately the responsibility is mine,” he added.
“I met with the player committee today – the squad is determined to pull together to ensure the strongest possible finish to the season. We are clear we need to deliver performances which earn your amazing support.”
Tottenham’s players meanwhile, have offered to reimburse fans the cost of their match tickets from the Newcastle game.
Mason, who also took charge towards the end of the 2020-21 season, will be in the dugout for Thursday’s home game against Manchester United.
After finishing fourth under Conte last season, hopes were high that Tottenham could do even better this campaign as the former Chelsea boss was armed with over £100 million (S$166.5 million) of new signings.
But after just one defeat in their opening 10 league games, Spurs have lost 10 of their last 22.
Former Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann is the bookmakers’ favourite to take over at Spurs while Vincent Kompany, who has led Burnley back to the Premier League this season, is also in the running.
Feyenoord boss Arne Slot and former Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers have also been linked with the job.
British media have reported that former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, who led the club to the Champions League final in 2019, is in advanced talks to take over London rivals Chelsea.
AFP, REUTERS
