BREAKING: Tottenham Hotspur replace acting head coach Cristian Stellini
Tottenham Hotspur have removed Cristian Stellini as interim head coach, just a month after the club replaced Antonio Conte with his former assistant, with Ryan Mason taking over.
In a statement on Monday, chairman 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.”
Stellini picked four defenders at the back, instead of the five the team had played for most of the season, and instantly got exposed.
After the match, the interim coach claimed it was the ‘worst performance’ he’d seen, saying, “There are no words to explain a performance like this.
“The first 25 minutes were maybe the worst I have ever seen.”
He was always unlikely to get the job full time in the first place, but the result left the club with no option than to replace him until the end of the season.
Instead of finding a permanent manager to replace the Italian, his assistant, Stellini, was given the top job until the end of the season, having also taken over when the former Chelsea boss was recovering from surgery, earlier this year.
In his place, Mason will now be in charge of the club until the end of the season, having also taken over from Jose Mourinho, after the Roma manager was removed as Spurs boss in 2021.
The new interim manager’s first game in charge is against Manchester United on Thursday, and he’ll be hoping it’s better than his predecessor’s final match.