Spurs fire Cristian Stellini after Newcastle nightmare, appoint Ryan Mason

Football

Spurs fire Cristian Stellini after Newcastle nightmare, appoint Ryan Mason

Published: 25 Apr. 2023, 10:08 Updated: 25 Apr. 2023, 10:51

Cristian Stellini reacts during a game between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle at St. James' Park in Newcastle on Sunday. [REUTERS/YONHAP]

Tottenham Hotspur fired interim manager Cristian Stellini after four games in charge on Monday, replacing him with new interim manager Ryan Mason.

The decision to drop Stellini, who had been expected to lead the club through the end of the season, came as little surprise after Tottenham were thrashed 6-1 by Newcastle United on Sunday.

“Sunday’s performance against Newcastle was wholly unacceptable,” club Chairman Daniel Levy said in a statement Monday. “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.”

Stellini arrived at Spurs in 2021 as part of Antonio Conte’s staff. He worked as assistant manager under Conte, opting to stay on as interim manager when Conte was fired last month.

Tottenham have won just one of four games since Stellini took the helm, beating Brighton 2-1 on April 8. They picked up one draw, 1-1 with Everton on April 3, and lost 3-2 to Bournemouth on April 15 and 6-1 to Newcastle on Sunday.

Stellini’s exit also sees the departure of the entire Italian coaching staff originally put in place by Conte. When Conte left in March, only his brother Gianluca went with him, the rest of the staff staying with Stellini.

With Stellini gone, local boy Mason returns to the interim manager role for the second time in his career.

Ryan Mason, left, talks to Cristian Stellini during a game between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Feb. 19. [REUTERS/YONHAP]

Mason previously led Spurs for the final weeks of the 2020-21 season after the sacking of Jose Mourinho, winning four of six games but losing the Carabao Cup.

Mason takes the helm in potentially an even more perilous position than when Mourinho left.

With seven games still to play this season, Spurs are now six points outside of the top four and face both Manchester United — who are in fourth — and Liverpool in the next few weeks.

Worse still, with blood in the water the sharks have already started circling.

British media reported Tuesday that Manchester United have started moves to acquire Harry Kane when the season ends, and with only 12 months left on the England captain’s contract, this might be the year that bid actually works.

On the managerial front, any attempt to persuade Mauricio Pochettino back to the club seems bound to fail, with reports that he is in the final stage of signing a deal with Chelsea.

Levy is apparently working to sign Julian Nagelsmann, sacked by Bayern Munich last month, with former Spain manager Luis Enrique also a possible option.

The first challenge, though, will be facing United on Thursday. The atmosphere is likely to be unpleasant, with fans expected to take the opportunity to make their feelings toward Levy very clear. For Mason and the squad, the challenge will be to buckle down and focus on trying to bounce back from Sunday’s debacle.

BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]