Spurs in talks about sacking Cristian Stellini as caretaker manager

Daniel Levy is considering whether or not to keep Cristian Stellini in temporary charge of Tottenham Hotspur following the embarrassing defeat by Newcastle United.

Telegraph Sport understands talks were being held on Monday morning over whether or not to replace acting head coach in time for Thursday’s Premier League game against Manchester United.

Dismissing Stellini so soon after the departure of Antonio Conte would be a remarkable move from the Spurs chairman and an acknowledgment of the crisis he is facing.

Levy would almost certainly have to ask Ryan Mason to become Tottenham’s second interim manager of the season, having initially decided to overlook him following Conte’s exit.

Telegraph Sport understands there is huge concern that Stellini does not have the faith of the Spurs players after his decision to revert to a back four against Newcastle backfired spectacularly.

Tottenham only confirmed Conte’s exit less than a month ago and it was on the recommendation of former managing director of football Fabio Paratici that Stellini was made acting head coach.

But Paratici himself left the club last week and now Levy is having to take charge of the situation with calls and meetings said to be taking place about the best course of action for the remainder of the season.

Sources have indicated to Telegraph Sport that the belief on Monday morning was that Stellini is unlikely to be in charge for Thursday’s visit of United, when the atmosphere inside the Tottenham stadium could be toxic.

It remains to be seen whether or not Mason, who was made assistant to Stellini after Conte left, would agree to take charge of the team until the end of the season.

Tottenham have made contact with Luis Enrique in the search for a permanent replacement for Conte, but it is thought little progress had been made in the hunt for a new head coach before the weekend defeat to Newcastle.