Following the inevitable departure of Antonio Conte, Tottenham has appointed Cristian Stellini as the interim manager until the end of the season
Tottenham and Antonio Conte have mutually parted ways after the Italian manager made critical comments about the club and players in a post-match press conference.
Assistant coach Cristian Stellini will take over the managerial duties until the end of the season.
Conte had expressed his frustration after Tottenham drew 3-3 against Southampton last weekend, calling his players “selfish” and questioning the lack of success during Daniel Levy’s tenure as chairman.
Conte’s assistant Stellini takes his job
It was reported that club officials asked Conte to explain his comments, and he clarified that his remark about “20 years and they never won something” was directed at the players, not the management.
“We can announce that head coach Antonio Conte has left the club by mutual agreement,” a Spurs statement read.
“Tottenham achieved Champions League qualification in Antonio’s first season at the club. We thank Antonio for his contribution and wish him well for the future.
“Cristian Stellini will take the team as acting head coach for the remainder of the season, along with Ryan Mason as assistant head coach.”
Tottenham experienced a dip in form while Antonio Conte was away recovering from gallbladder surgery.
They lost to Sheffield United, a Championship side, in the FA Cup on March 1, and were knocked out of the Champions League a week later after drawing 0-0 with AC Milan, who had already beaten them 1-0 in San Siro.
Tottenham managed to win 3-1 against Nottingham Forest on March 11, but their subsequent draw against Southampton, after leading 2-0, and Conte’s critical comments, led to his departure.
Despite Antonio Conte’s departure, Tottenham are currently in fourth place in the Premier League and in contention for Champions League qualification. However, Liverpool and Newcastle United, who are five and two points behind, respectively, have two games in hand.
Several names have been linked with the Tottenham job, including former Spurs coach Mauricio Pochettino, as well as Luis Enrique, and Marco Silva.
