EPL: TOTTENHAM SACK INTERIM COACH STELLINI AFTER BATTERING AT THE HANDS OF NEWCASTLE

Cristian Stellini

Tottenham fired interim manager Cristian Stellini on Monday after chairman Daniel Levy labeled the club's 6-1 loss to Newcastle as "wholly unacceptable."

Stellini, who was only appointed manager last month after his former boss Antonio Conte left the club, will be replaced with immediate effect by Ryan Mason.

Conte's long-term assistant won only one of his four games in charge, dealing a deadly blow to Spurs' chances of competing in the Champions League next season.

"Sunday's performance against Newcastle was wholly unacceptable," said Levy in a club statement.

"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."

However, Levy has come under fire from fans for his decision to replace Conte with a member of his backroom staff in the first place.

"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," Levy added.

"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 Derformances which earn your

Tottenham remain in fifth place in the Premier League, but they are six points behind the top four and have played at least one more game than the teams directly above them.

Spurs' miserable season reached a new low at St James' Park, as they were 5-0 down after just 21 minutes.

Mason, who took over as manager at the end of the 2020/21 season, will be in command for Thursday's match against Manchester United at home.

Tottenham finished fourth under Conte last season, and expectations were high that the club would improve this season with over £100 million ($124 million) in new additions.

However, under Stellini, Spurs wasted a goal and a man advantage against relegation-threatened Everton, drawing 1-1, and losing 3-2 at home to Bournemouth before collapsing at Newcastle.

Harry Kane

Tottenham's woes have cast doubt on the future of star striker Harry Kane.

The England captain has one year left on his contract and is being courted by Bayern Munich and Manchester United.

Fabio Paratici, the club's managing director of football, also quit last week after losing his appeal against a 30-month global ban from doing his duties.

The Italian football federation suspended Paratici in January after his former club Juventus was found guilty of false accounting.