Tottenham has pulled the managerial equivalent of substituting a substitute, announcing on Monday that it has sacked interim boss Cristian Stellini only a month after he was appointed to the position.
The precipitating event was Sunday’s humiliating 6-1 defeat to Newcastle — a game that Spurs somehow trailed 5-0 just 21 minutes in.
In a club statement, Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy said that result was simply too much to bear.
“Sunday’s performance against Newcastle was wholly unacceptable. It was devastating to see,” Levy said. “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.”
Ryan Mason will take over as Tottenham’s second interim manager in the span of a month, after previous head coach Antonio Conte got himself run out of the gig in the wake of a fiery rant against everything and everyone at the club.
With just six games remaining, Spurs have an uphill battle to finish in the top four. They are currently fifth, trailing six points behind Manchester United, which also has two games in hand.
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