CRISTIAN STELLINI has been sacked as Tottenham’s acting head coach.
Ryan Mason will take over with immediate effect following a meeting between Daniel Levy and senior players.
Stellini, 48, took charge of four matches after being appointed until the end of the season following Antonio Conte’s departure.
The Italian had been Conte’s No2 at Spurs since November 2021.
His coaching staff, aside from Mason, have also left the North Londoners.
Although liked on a personal level, Stellini is believed to have lost the faith of the Tottenham squad.
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Addressing supporters in an official statement, Levy described Sunday’s 6-1 mauling at Newcastle, in which they were 5-0 down after just 21 minutes, as “devastating”.
He wrote: “Sunday’s performance against Newcastle was wholly unacceptable. 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.
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“Ryan Mason will take over head coach duties with immediate effect. Ryan knows the club and the players well. We shall update further on his coaching staff in due course.
“I met with the player committee today – the squad is determined to pull together to ensure the strongest possible finish to the season.
“We are all clear we need to deliver performances which earn your amazing support.”
Conte departed after slamming his players in a ten minute rant following their 3-3 draw at Southampton last month.
Stellini then oversaw a 1-1 draw at Everton and 2-1 home victory over Brighton before a dramatic, last-minute 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth.
Mason, 31, previously took charge of the final seven matches of the 2020-21 season following the sacking of Jose Mourinho.
He won four of his six Premier League matches at the helm, in addition to losing the Carabao Cup final 1-0 to Manchester City.
The former midfielder returned to the academy set-up under Nuno Espirito Santo, but was promoted to the role of first team coach following Conte’s arrival.
Tottenham are next in action on Thursday night, when they host Manchester United in North London.
Spurs are fifth in the table but have fallen six points behind the top four, with both Man United and Newcastle possessing games in hand.
The Lilywhites are just four points above eighth-placed Brighton, with the Seagulls having played three fewer matches.
Tottenham have been linked with the likes of Julian Nagelsmann and Luis Enrique in their managerial hunt.
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While Arne Slot, Vincent Kompany and Ange Postecoglou have also been mentioned.
Popular former boss Mauricio Pochettino, whose name has been sung by fans at recent matches, was reportedly never considered and is on the verge of joining Chelsea.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
