After Tottenham’s managing director of football was banned from football, Tottenham produced a performance to suggest it would be a merciful release to their supporters if the same punishment should be extended to the entire club. Having resigned on Friday, Fabio Paratici can argue a 6-1 thrashing at Newcastle did not happen on his watch, just as Antonio Conte can, though each is a reason the hapless Cristian Stellini was at the rudder of a ship that looked rudderless. The interim manager pronounced the first 25 minutes “the worst I have ever seen”. His side were 5-0 down after 21 and he was dismissed on Monday afternoon. After a historically bad match, and an embarrassing week as Paratici had to quit, the only thing that could make things worse for Tottenham would be if Mauricio Pochettino is announced as Chelsea manager.
Fourth when April began, Tottenham nevertheless have the air of a broken team and a broken club. There were four minutes on the clock and five Newcastle goals still to come when fans first chorused for Daniel Levy to go. If a deluxe stadium and training ground can be traced back to the chairman, so can Tottenham’s current malaise. Years of questionable choices culminated in a horror show at St James’ Park. It was the day to confirm – not mathematically, but realistically – that Spurs will not be in the Champions League next season.
