Who is Cristian Stellini? Tottenham’s new interim manager after Antonio Conte sacked

As Tottenham’s search for silverware extends for another season, Spurs are now also searching for a new manager after Antonio Conte’s departure. 

The Italian coach seemed destined to exit the club after taking a swipe at their owners following his last match in charge – a 3-3 league draw with Southampton. 

It was then confirmed on March 26 that Conte had left Tottenham by mutual agreement as both parties went their separate ways.

With a handful of games remaining this season, Spurs have opted to name Cristian Stellini as interim manager while they look to find a long-term replacement for Conte. 

MORE: Who will be the next Premier League manager sacked?

Who is Cristian Stellini? 

Stellini’s elevation to manager comes after serving as Tottenham’s assistant coach for the past two years. 

The 48-year-old began his coaching career in 2010 as an assistant with Tuscan side Siena following a playing career that saw him lineup solely in Italy for the likes of Ternana, Como and Genoa as a defender. 

Stellini then joined Conte’s Juventus coaching team in 2011 but lasted just a year before stepping aside after allegations of match fixing during his final years as a player. He was later handed a two-and-a-half year suspension from all football activities.

The Italian maintained his innocence throughout and would return to coaching in 2015 with Genoa’s youth team. 

In 2017, Stellini then secured his first head coaching role with Serie C team Alessandria but was sacked after just five months in charge. 

Two years later, Conte and Stellini would reunite at Inter Milan with the latter serving as an assistant – a role Stellini would also occupy during Conte’s time at Spurs. 

Stellini has previously taken charge of Tottenham in Conte’s absence this season and claimed a vital Champions League victory over Marseille in November 2022. 

He was also at the helm in February when Spurs beat Manchester 1-0 and clearly showed enough to convince Tottenham’s heirarchy that he can take on the top job for the rest of the season.

Stellini’s assistant manager will be Ryan Mason, the former Tottenham player who was forced to retire in 2018 after complications and risks from a nasty head injury suffered in a clash of heads with Gary Cahill. Mason is just 31 years old and has been with the Tottenham coaching staff since his retirement in 2018. He worked closely with Stellini during Conte’s absence due to health reasons back in February.

Stellini coaching record

Having previously only taken charge of teams on two occasions, Stellini’s coaching record is pretty sparse.

His time with Alessandria was particularly forgettable and saw him remain manager for just 142 days. 

Club Games Wins Draws Losses Alessandria 16 3 6 7 Genoa U19 66 35 11 20 Stellini match fixing scandal

In 2012, Stellini’s early coaching career was derailed after allegations of match fixing. 

The former defender was accused of receiving money to influence the result of a game he played in between Bari and Salernitana in 2008/09.

Stellini denied the charges but resigned from his position with Juventus at the time before being handed a two-and-a-half year suspension from all football activities.

“The events of the last month have deeply affected me,” a statement from Stellini read. “In a short space of time I went from member of the technical staff of the champions of Italy to a cause of turmoil for those I worked with.

“Whatever the evolution of the legal situation I am in, I feel it is only right to show a professional attitude and release this weight from Juventus which fell on to the club’s shoulders due to my time elsewhere in my career.

“I think it is right to dedicate all my time and efforts to clearing my position in these matters, which are exclusively about me and not those I simply shared a locker room with. I therefore tend my irrevocable resignation as technical assistant at Juventus.”

Who will be Tottenham’s next manager?

While Stellini will manage Tottenham until the end of the 2022/23 season, it’s unlikely he’ll keep the job beyond that. 

Spurs likely started their search for a new manager long before Conte’s formal departure with former coach Mauricio Pochettino previously linked with a possible return. 

Bayern Munich’s recent shock decision to sack Julian Nagelsmann, however, means Tottenham could now look at trying to lure the German to London. 

Other possible options include Ryan Mason, Luis Enrique and Roberto De Zerbi.