Cristian Stellini gives one-word response when asked if Tottenham can still make top-four after Newcastle loss
The Premier League clash between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur on April 23 at St. James’ Park was a reminder that Cristian Stellini is perhaps not the man for the job in the long term.
It is naive to base your judgement of a manager on just one game but the Italian tactician lacks experience as a head coach of a top-flight team. Of course, he is here in an interim capacity and the club would be looking for a permanent hire soon.
But it raised the question if burning bridges with Antonio Conte so abruptly was the right decision and if we should let him stay here at least until the season’s end. Top-four, for many teams, if not all, is akin to a trophy these days in the Premier League.
The financial incentives and the clout associated with the UEFA Champions League are invaluable. Missing out on it can define a team’s pull in the transfer market and their budget for next season.
What next for Spurs?
Spurs’ 6-1 humbling against top-four contenders Newcastle United was a huge, huge dent in our top-four hopes. We needed to win this game to shave the gap between them and us.
Now, the Magpies rise up to third in the table with 59 points from 31 games. They have a game in hand and lead us by six points. Manchester United are fourth, with two games in hand over Spurs and a six-point lead.
It is a long, long way from here if we want UEFA Champions League football next season but Stellini is still confident of a turnaround. Asked in his post-match interview if Spurs can still make the top four, Stellini replied, via Football.London:
“Yes.”
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That is the confidence we need right now. Stellini has to get back to the drawing board, however, and bring out a saner and more sensible tactic than starting a back-four with the incredibly attacking Ivan Perisic and Pedro Porro as full-backs. Honestly, what was that?
