Tottenham Sack Stellini after Newcastle 6-1 Thumping

*Chelsea hold talks with Pochettino, want him to succeed Lampard

Interim manager Cristian Stellini has been sacked by Tottenham Hotspur after four matches in charge.

The decision comes a day after Spurs were thrashed 6-1 at Newcastle– a performance chairman Daniel Levy has described as “wholly unacceptable”.

Stellini, 48, was appointed on 26 March after Antonio Conte’s 16-month spell as Spurs boss came to an end.

Ryan Mason, who worked under Stellini and took charge when Jose Mourinho was sacked in 2021, succeeds him.

Sunday’s defeat at Newcastle, where they trailed 5-0 after 21 minutes, was a significant blow to Spurs’ hopes of securing Champions League qualification.

“It was devastating to see,” added Levy.

“We can look at many reasons why it happened and while myself, the board, the coaches and players must all take collective responsibility, ultimately the responsibility is mine.”

Tottenham are fifth in the Premier League table, six points behind both Newcastle in third and Manchester United in fourth.

Both teams have played fewer games than Spurs, who host Erik ten Hag’s side on Thursday.

Spurs won one, drew one and lost two games after appointing Stellini, who acted as Conte’s assistant during his time as manager.

Stellini also led the side when Conte was missing from the touchline after a gall bladder operation in February, with Spurs winning three of their four Premier League games in Conte’s absence, but also losing to Championship side Sheffield United in the FA Cup.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are in advanced talks to make former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino their new manager.

The Argentine, whose most recent job was at Paris St-Germain, is keen on the role but more negotiations will take place before any deal is finalised.

Chelsea want a quick resolution and believe they are at the end of the process as they search for a permanent replacement for Graham Potter.

Pochettino, 51, would take over from interim manager Frank Lampard.

The former England midfielder took charge of the Blues after they sacked Potter at the start of April, but has lost all four of his games in charge.