Tottenham Hotspur has sacked interim coach Cristian Stellini after a 6-1 defeat against Newcastle United on Saturday. Stellini was the assistant to the recently fired Antonio Conte. He is set to leave the club after internal meetings at Spurs in the early hours of Monday.
In a statement issued on Monday evening, club owner, Daniel Levy said:
Sunday’s performance against Newcastle was wholly unacceptable. It was devastating to see. 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. Cristian will leave his current role along with his coaching staff. Cristian 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. We wish him and his staff well.
Ryan Mason will take over head coach duties with immediate effect. Ryan knows the club and the players well. We shall update further on his coaching staff in due course. 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 all clear we need to deliver performances which earn your amazing support.’
Ryan Mason, who is a coach under Stellini, is understood to have significant support from Spurs players to take the team until the end of the season.
Mason, 31, will take the reins for a second time having also acted as interim head coach in 2021 following the sacking of Jose Mourinho.
Tottenham will host Manchester United on Thursday night.
cc: Fabrizio Romano
