There’s the romanticism of a return for Mauricio Pochettino. The intrigue of the possible arrival of Julian Nagelsmann. Maybe even an audacious attempt to lure the Premier League’s “Next Big Thing” — Roberto De Zerbi.
For now, though, Tottenham — in a state of flux after the departure of Antonio Conte on Sunday — will be led until the end of the season, at least, by Cristian Stellini, a long-time No. 2 now going it alone for what is set to be a demanding couple of months as the team looks to secure Champions League qualification.
“We can announce that head coach Antonio Conte has left the club by mutual agreement. We achieved Champions League qualification in Antonio’s first season at the Club. We thank Antonio for his contribution and wish him well for the future,” chairman Daniel Levy said in a statement.
“Cristian Stellini will take the team as acting head coach for the remainder of the season, along with Ryan Mason as assistant head coach.”
Most football fans knew all about Conte, the serial winner — at least before he arrived at Tottenham — known to eventually combust, pretty much as he did a week ago in a rant that marked the beginning of the end of his time in north London.
Fewer will have heard of Stellini, who has been Conte’s assistant for much of the past 13 years and has a background just as interesting as the man he has loyally served until now.
The 48-year-old Stellini has been thrust into the limelight intermittently in recent months while leading Tottenham for certain matches in place of Conte, who had to step away briefly because of either suspension or for health reasons. He has done a good job, too, notably gaining wins at Marseille in November to secure advancement in the Champions League and against both Manchester City and Chelsea in the Premier League in February.
Still, Stellini is very much Conte’s man, which makes it all the more unexpected that he is still at Tottenham following the latest managerial change at a club without a major trophy since 2008.
He takes the helm with Tottenham occupying the fourth and final ChampionsLeague qualification spot, but under real threat by the teams below.
Fifth-placed Newcastle United are two points back and have two games in hand while sixth-placed Liverpool and seventh-placed Brighton are seven points adrift having played two and three fewer games, respectively.
What next for Kane
Harry Kane likely knew what was awaiting him after he celebrated becoming England’s all-time leading scorer.
Within hours of his 55th goal for his national team on Sunday came confirmation of Conte’s departure.”
Kane, who was presented with a golden boot ahead of England’s 2-0 win over Ukraine at Wembley Stadium on Sunday after surpassing Wayne Rooney’s scoring record, may wonder if any manager can turn Tottenham into a winning team.
“The individual accolades are well deserved and are amazing. But he wants to be part of a team that is successful,” England coach Gareth Southgate said Sunday.
Southgate was referring to the national team’s own bid to win a trophy for the first time since 1966, but the same can be said of Kane’s club career.
At the age of 29, Kane’s chances of ending his drought are diminishing.
He turns 30 before the start of next season, when he will have a year left on his current contract.
“He’s got a big decision to make career-wise,” former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard said on Sunday. “I’ve been there myself, where you’re thinking is my team good enough to get me the medals?”
