Tottenham Hotspur have sacked interim manager Cristian Stellini and replaced him with Ryan Mason following a 6-1 defeat against Newcastle United on Sunday.
Spurs made the trip to St James’ Park aiming to keep their top-four destiny in their own hands but fell to a comprehensive thrashing at the hands of their fellow Champions League hopefuls.
Tottenham have now made a second managerial change of the season, parting ways with Stellini, who had only just taken over from Antonio Conte last month.
“Cristian [Stellini] will leave his current role along with his coaching staff,” a statement on Tottenham’s official website read.
“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.
“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.”
Mason will take charge until the end of the season, after which Spurs are expected to appoint a permanent manager.
After pulling out of contention for the Chelsea job, Julian Nagelsmann is the current favourite to take over, but Luis Enrique is also a firm contender.
Tottenham face an uphill task to secure a place in next season’s Champions League as they sit fifth in the Premier League table, six points behind Manchester United, having played two more games.
Off the back of consecutive defeats, Spurs take on Man United in a must-win clash on Thursday if they are to keep their hopes of qualifying for Europe’s premier club competition alive.
