Tottenham are discussing Cristian Stellini's future as interim manager with the club considering dismissing him after the shocking 6-1 defeat against Newcastle United. The Magpies scored five goals in the opening 20 minutes at St. James' Park with a number of Spurs supporters heading for the stadium exits.
Stellini took over from Antonio Conte after the Italian was sacked from his position as manager last month. Stellini's position as interim boss is now in serious doubt with speculation growing as to whether he will still be in charge for Thursday’s visit of Manchester United.
Ryan Mason is the obvious contender to replace him until the end of the season or the appointment of a new permanent manager. Julian Nagelsmann withdrew from the running to become Chelsea's new manager, leaving the door open for him to potentially be appointed by Daniel Levy at Tottenham.
READ MORE: Tottenham player ratings vs Newcastle: Lloris, Romero, Dier among those dreadful in collapse
A report from the Evening Standard suggests that Stellini has already lost the confidence of the players after four matches in temporary charge. The defeat against Newcastle compiled the poor atmosphere around the club at present with Hugo Lloris admitting he was 'embarrassed' after conceding five goals in the opening 20 minutes before being hooked off at half-time.
Stellini started with a 4-3-3 formation, a big change to Spurs' usual 3-4-3 setup, but afterwards apologised to supporters and said the result was his responsibility “if it was the system” to blame. The Italian 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.”
The report goes on to add that several of the Tottenham senior players were surprised when Stellini was handed the interim role ahead of Mason, with the majority of Conte’s backroom staff staying on. Levy continues to search for a permanent replacement for Conte, but Mauricio Pochettino is unlikely return and is now in pole position to take over at Stamford Bridge instead.
Harry Redknapp has already reiterated he would go back to manage Tottenham if they asked - however remote a possibility he accepts that would be. Before Conte's exit from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Redknapp said he would take on the role if it was offered to him - and following Sunday's hammering, the 76-year-old confirmed to
he would still jump at the chance if they reached out to him.
Redknapp said: "It's very, very unlikely they would come knocking for me, I'll be truthful. But if they did, of course I would go back and take it.
"I'm not sitting here by the phone waiting for a phone call, that's for sure. It's disappointing to see. Yesterday was a big disappointment."
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