Cristian Stellini’s position as Tottenham’s acting head coach is in serious doubt, with the club considering dismissing him after Sunday’s 6-1 Newcastle loss.
Talks at the club were this morning taking place over whether Stellini would still be in charge for Thursday’s visit of Manchester United, with Ryan Mason the obvious contender to replace him until the end of the season or the appointment of a new permanent manager.
There is a feeling at Spurs that Stellini has already lost the confidence of the players after four matches in temporary charge, and they trailed 5-0 to Newcastle inside 21 minutes yesterday — the second-worst start ever by a Premier League side.
Stellini started with a bold-looking 4-3-3 formation, but afterwards apologised to supporters and said the result was his responsibility “if it was the system” to blame. He added that he wanted to see out the campaign as planned and, asked if he was concerned for his position, said: “I have no answer for this, because it is not a question for me.”
Stellini replaced Conte on March 27, with Spurs in fourth place, but yesterday’s chaotic defeat left them six points behind Newcastle and Manchester United, having played more games, and in danger of slipping further down the table. Aston Villa, Liverpool and Brighton are also pushing for European places, and Spurs host fourth-place United before a visit to Anfield next weekend.
Mason was overlooked for the interim job when Conte left by mutual agreement after the Italian had torched his relationship with the squad in the aftermath of a 3-3 draw at Southampton.
Several of the club’s senior players were surprised when Stellini was handed the role instead, with the majority of Conte’s backroom staff staying on.
Mason, 31, oversaw the final seven games of the 2020-21 season after Jose Mourinho was sacked and is thought to be open to helping his boyhood club again.
Stellini impressed the squad in his first meeting and attempted to create a siege mentality for the run-in, but he has changed almost nothing about Conte’s approach.
Spurs continue to hunt for a permanent successor to Conte, although supporters’ choice Mauricio Pochettino has not been approached and is on the verge of joining Chelsea. Reports in Germany claim Julian Nagelsmann is open to an approach from Spurs, who are also interested out-of-work former Spain boss Luis Enrique, Feyenoord coach Arne Slot and Burnley’s Vincent Kompany.
Stellini last night apologised to fans, saying: “We have to apologise with everyone — and I hope that today is my responsibility, because changing system was my decision. I hope it was this that was the problem.”
