Ryan Mason Back In Charge At Tottenham Following Cristian Stellini's Sacking After 29 Days As Interim Manager

Ryan Mason has been appointed as interim Tottenham Hotspur manager for a second time. Mason returns to the job after Cristian Stellini was fired after 29 days.
Ryan Mason Back In Charge At Tottenham Following Cristian Stellini's Sacking After 29 Days As Interim Manager
Ryan Mason Back In Charge At Tottenham Following Cristian Stellini's Sacking After 29 Days As Interim Manager /

Cristian Stellini has left Tottenham Hotspur just 29 days after being appointed as interim manager.

Stellini originally joined Spurs as Antonio Conte's assistant head coach in November 2021.

When Conte was fired last month, Stellini was promoted and tasked with managing the first-team until the end of the season.

But a run of poor results and performances have resulted in Spurs chairman Daniel Levy wielding his axe yet again after just four games.

Stellini's Spurs drew 1-1 at Everton, then recorded a lucky 2-1 win over Brighton, before losing 3-2 at home to Bournemouth earlier this month.

But the final nail in Stellini's coffin was a 6-1 defeat at Newcastle United on Sunday - a game in which Spurs were 5-0 down after just 21 minutes.

Cristian Stellini pictured on the touchline during Tottenham's 6-1 loss at Newcastle in April 2023
Cristian Stellini pictured on the touchline during Tottenham's 6-1 loss at Newcastle :: IMAGO/NurPhoto/MI News

Twenty-four hours on from that game, Levy issued a club statement.

It read: "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.

"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."

Mason, who had been working under Stellini over the past month, has been Tottenham's interim manager once before.

He took charge of the final seven matches in the 2020/21 season after Jose Mourinho was dismissed.

Under Mason, Spurs won four games and lost three.

As a player, Mason made 70 appearances for Tottenham after coming through the club's youth academy.

Ryan Mason's Previous Results As Tottenham Interim Manager

  • April 2021: Tottenham 2-1 Southampton (EPL)
  • April 2021: Man City 1-0 Tottenham (EFL Cup final)
  • May 2021: Tottenham 4-0 Sheffield United (EPL)
  • May 2021: Leeds 3-1 Tottenham (EPL)
  • May 2021: Tottenham 2-0 Wolves (EPL)
  • May 2021: Tottenham 1-2 Aston Villa (EPL)
  • May 2021: Leicester 2-4 Tottenham (EPL)
Tottenham interim manager Ryan Mason pictured (left) speaking to Son Heung-min during the 2021 EFL Cup final at Wembley
Tottenham interim manager Ryan Mason pictured (left) speaking to Son Heung-min during the 2021 EFL Cup final at Wembley :: IMAGO/PA Images/Adam Davy

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Robert Summerscales
ROBERT SUMMERSCALES

Robert Summerscales launched FanNation Futbol in February 2022. Rob is a British journalist who previously spent two years on the sports desk at the Daily Mail in London, having earlier served as editor of CaughtOffside.com. He has been to the last two FIFA Men's World Cups, in Russia and Qatar, and is looking forward to completing his hat-trick in North America in 2026.