Tottenham Hotspur sack interim manager Stellini after 6-1 defeat to Newcastle

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - Tottenham Hotspur on Monday fired their interim manager Cristian Stellini after the London club last weekend suffered a huge loss by 6-1 at the hands of Newcastle United.

"Cristian (Stellini) will leave his current role along with his coaching staff," Tottenham said in a statement, calling the team's performance in a Sunday English Premier League match "wholly unacceptable" and "devastating to see."

Spurs thanked Stellini for his service.

"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," Tottenham added.

Mason, a former Tottenham and Hull City midfielder, retired from playing football in 2018 after a head injury. He was Tottenham's assistant manager.

The 31-year-old will be Tottenham's head coach ahead of Thursday's match against Manchester United in London.

Italy's Stellini, 48, was appointed on March 26 after his compatriot Antonio Conte's departure.

Fifth-place Tottenham have 53 points in 32 Premier League matches to trail six points behind Manchester United and Newcastle United, who are in the league's top four.

Tottenham's archrivals Arsenal have 75 points to lead the league.