Cristian Stellini breaks silence as Jamie Carragher tells Tottenham to sack ‘Antonio Conte’s mate’ after Newcastle humiliation

Tottenham interim coach Cristian Stellini has responded to a question on his future after they suffered another shock.

Spurs were beaten 6-1 by Newcastle at St James’ Park on Sunday afternoon with five goals coming in the opening 21 minutes.

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It saw fans leave during the first half and comes just days after Stellini was put under pressure by a shock 3-2 loss to Bournemouth last week.

The 48-year-old was made acting head coach after Antonio Conte was sacked last month but there are question marks over his future.

But the Italian was coy when quizzed on whether or not he could get the sack.

When asked if his future is in doubt, he said: “I have no answer for this. This is not a question for me.”

And that will not appease Jamie Carragher, who insisted that Tottenham must sack Stellini because he is ‘Conte’s mate’.

The Liverpool legend tweeted: “Newcastle are brilliant, they have been all season.

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“Tottenham are a disgrace!

“How have they gone to a back four for the first time this season, with Porro a full back that can’t defend & Perisic who is a winger 🤯

“Get a proper manager in right now, not Conte’s mate.”

Stellini had to make some big calls in the opening 45 minutes having already roped Pape Matar Sarr for Davinson Sanchez after just 23 minutes.

Fraser Forster came on for Hugo Lloris at half-time, who made just one save in the whole half, which also led to the opening goal of the game.

But Stellini insisted he came off through injury, saying: “He got injured. It was a muscle problem. He had to come off.”

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Speaking on the performance, he added: “There’s no words to explain a performance like this.

“The first 25 minutes were the worst I have ever seen.

“I want to, I hope that the system we changed to give energy and mood was wrong and if that’s the case then it’s my responsibility.”

Tottenham were in dire need of three points to kick-start their season and draw level with Newcastle in fourth place.

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As it happened, the Toon are now third and six points clear of the north London side, while also having a game in hand.

It means that Spurs might need a small miracle to play in the Champions League next season, though widespread changes must surely be implemented in the summer.

Several managers have been linked with the post at Tottenham, including Luis Enrique and Julian Nagelsmann.

Stellini added: “Today, what I can say, is we have to apologise with everyone and I hope that today is my responsibility because changing system was my decision.

“Like I said, I hope it was this that was the problem.”