by Tottenham finally sack Antonio Conte as Ryan Mason is snubbed for interim role by Levy
TOTTENHAM have dramatically sacked Antonio Conte tonight.
The Italian was finally given the boot one week after his incredible rant following Spurs’ 3-3 draw with Southampton.
Former interim Ryan Mason has been snubbed from the top job, getting the No2 role until the summer instead.
And surprisingly, Conte’s assistant Cristian Stellini has been named interim manager after filling in for his pal in February.
Spurs chief Daniel Levy said: “We have 10 Premier League games remaining and we have a fight on our hands for a Champions League place.
“We all need to pull together. Everyone has to step up to ensure the highest possible finish for our Club and amazing, loyal supporters.
Conte leaves Spurs in fourth place, just two points above Newcastle who have two games in hand.
The Italian cut a moody figure during his final months at Tottenham boss.
And there was major disappointment when the Londoners crashed out of the Champions League last-16 to an AC Milan side beaten twice by struggling neighbours Chelsea in the group stage.
But the final straw for Spurs came last weekend when they blew a 3-1 lead to draw 3
Conte embarked on an incredible rant as he slammed his players and blamed Tottenham’s culture on their lack of trophies.
Conte said: “They don’t play for something important.
“They don’t want to play under pressure, they don’t want to play under stress.
“It is easy this way. Tottenham’s story is this.
“For 20 years there is the owner but they never won something but why?
“The fault is only for the club, or for every manager that stays here?
“I have seen the managers that Tottenham had on the bench.
“Until now I try to hide the situation but not now because, I repeat, I don’t want to see what I have seen today because this is unacceptable and also un- acceptable for the fans.”
Conte was summoned to explain his comments by Tottenham’s board.
And the decision has now been taken to sack him ahead of his contract expiring this summer.
It is now down to Stellini, who was also Conte’s No2 at Inter Milan, to guide Spurs to next season’s Champions League.
But the former pro defender already knows a thing or two about the main seat in the dugout.
Stellini oversaw three Tottenham wins in February while Conte recovered from gallbladder surgery in Italy.
It led to Conte being named Manager of the Month… even though the only game he was present for ended in defeat.
