Tottenham sack interim manager after Newcastle thrashing
Tottenham Hotspur have sacked interim manager Cristian Stellini after just four matches in charge, following a 6-1 thrashing by Newcastle on Sunday. The defeat was described as “wholly unacceptable” by the club’s chairman Daniel Levy, and marks a significant blow to Spurs’ hopes of securing Champions League qualification.
Stellini was appointed on 26 March following Antonio Conte’s departure after 16 months in the post. Ryan Mason, who worked under Stellini and took charge following Jose Mourinho’s sacking in 2021, will replace him. Mason returns for the final six games of the season with the club fifth in the Premier League table, six points behind Newcastle in third and Manchester United in fourth.
Stellini apologised for the defeat at Newcastle, calling the performance “unexpected”. His tactical decisions had drawn the ire of Spurs fans during his brief tenure, particularly when Sanchez was brought on as a substitute in the 35th minute during the 3-2 defeat against Bournemouth and then booed when he was taken off in the 58th minute. Questions over the playing style have persisted under Stellini, with Spurs conceding nine goals across their last two league matches, the most they have conceded in consecutive league games since May 2003.
Tottenham are searching for their fourth permanent manager in four years since Mauricio Pochettino left in 2019.