Spurs chief Paratici backs Stellini and Mason

Tottenham managing director of football Fabio Paratici has backed Cristian Stellini and Ryan Mason following the decision to place them in interim charge following the recent departure of Antonio Conte.

Stellini, who was Conte’s assistant, is stepping in for the rest of the season and will be assisted by former Spurs player Mason, who previously had a spell in caretaker charge.

Paratici told the club website: “Cristian managed the team when Antonio was sick this season and was good. Ryan Mason can help him a lot. He knows everything about this club and group of players.


“We are really, really, really confident that these two people can do a very, very good job.”

German Julian Nagelsmann is among those being linked with the job as the club look to install a new manager.

Tottenham, who face Everton at Goodison Park when the Premier League resumes after the international break, are fourth in the table, on 49 points, but face a tough battle to secure a Champions League place for next season.

Fifth-placed Newcastle and Liverpool in sixth both have two games in hand over Spurs, while Brighton have three.

“The Premier League always is tough,” said Paratici. “We have a lot of teams, a lot of clubs, really, really prepared about achieving this target but we will fight to achieve our target.”