Spurs Still Believe They Can Finish in Top Four, Says Stellini

Tottenham Hotspur's Italian assistant head coach Cristian Stellini reacts during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Bournemouth at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on April 15, 2023. (AFP)
Tottenham Hotspur's Italian assistant head coach Cristian Stellini reacts during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Bournemouth at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on April 15, 2023. (AFP)
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Spurs Still Believe They Can Finish in Top Four, Says Stellini

Tottenham Hotspur's Italian assistant head coach Cristian Stellini reacts during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Bournemouth at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on April 15, 2023. (AFP)
Tottenham Hotspur's Italian assistant head coach Cristian Stellini reacts during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Bournemouth at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on April 15, 2023. (AFP)

Tottenham Hotspur are confident they can finish in the top four and qualify for the Champions League as long as it is still mathematically possible, interim manager Cristian Stellini said on Friday.

Spurs dropped out of the top four following the sacking of Antonio Conte last month and sit fifth in the league standings with 53 points having played a game more than fourth-placed Newcastle United, who have 56.

Spurs' hopes of playing in the Champions League next season were dented last weekend after they lost 3-2 at home to Bournemouth and Stellini said the game at St James' Park will not make things any easier.

"I think until the maths gives us reason to stop believing, until that moment we will continue to believe, continue to push and play to reach (the top four)," the Italian told reporters ahead of Sunday's trip to Newcastle.

"We've had one week to recharge after the last game and we had a good week.

"This is one of the worst stadiums to play in terms of the atmosphere power, but we have a good squad and I believe in the players at the club. We are prepared to play."

Spurs have had a rough season with only a top-four league finish to challenge for having been knocked out of the FA Cup and Champions League last month.

"It is a long history, this season, because many things happened and we lived a difficult period with a lot of situations, humanly and with many injured players," Stellini said.

"It was a difficult season but I think also that we fight all season against fate, against all our problems and this is important to grow like a man, like a team. For me the players are continuing to fight to reach the target."

Stellini said Spurs were aware of the many threats posed by Eddie Howe's Newcastle, who have won five of their last six games.

"When you play against a team like this you have to prepare well for the game because they have a lot of options to use and a lot of good players," Stellini said.

"You have to take care of many aspects but we are strong enough to be prepared and to play a good match."

Stellini said defenders Ben Davies and Clement Lenglet are back in training but are not ready to play this weekend.



New Australian Open Coaching ‘Pods’ Get Mixed Reaction

Casper Ruud of Norway speaks to his coaching staff during an Australian Open tennis tournament round 1 match against Jaume Munar of Spain at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, 12 January 2025. (EPA)
Casper Ruud of Norway speaks to his coaching staff during an Australian Open tennis tournament round 1 match against Jaume Munar of Spain at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, 12 January 2025. (EPA)
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New Australian Open Coaching ‘Pods’ Get Mixed Reaction

Casper Ruud of Norway speaks to his coaching staff during an Australian Open tennis tournament round 1 match against Jaume Munar of Spain at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, 12 January 2025. (EPA)
Casper Ruud of Norway speaks to his coaching staff during an Australian Open tennis tournament round 1 match against Jaume Munar of Spain at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, 12 January 2025. (EPA)

The Australian Open has introduced court-side "coaching pods" at this year's tournament in a Grand Slam first, but they have met with a mixed reaction.

The pods are positioned in two corners on each of the major courts with up to four people allowed, similar to the set-up at team events like the Davis Cup and United Cup.

They have access to real-time data on screens for statistical analysis, with coaches having the option to perch there or in their usual place in the traditional player box, where friends and family can also sit.

It follows the International Tennis Federation in October relaxing its rules, allowing coaches to communicate with players during matches as long as it is "brief" and "discreet".

Australian Open chief Craig Tiley admitted that "some coaches were a bit skeptical at first" of the pods.

"But then they sat down and said: 'This is great'," he told the Melbourne Age newspaper.

"When they (players) come and get their towel, you can talk to them, so you're almost, in effect, able to coach your player after each point, if you want to."

But not all players are convinced about the benefits.

"Honestly, it's not like I'm a big fan of that decision. Or if you do that, then make more seats," said world number one and defending Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka.

"For example, me personally, I like to see the whole team. I want to see the whole people in my box.

"I don't know, sometimes I just want to look at my boyfriend for the support. I just didn't want to, like, look at the coach first, then look in the box."

Greek star Stephanos Tsitsipas has long been an advocate for coaching to be permitted during matches, but said he was taken aback when he first saw the pods.

"I actually laughed when I saw them," he said.

"I don't know, it's kind of weird. I see my coaches and some other team members in that particular box, and the rest of them are upstairs, which I'm not used to.

"I guess I will acclimatize at some point."

But 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic, who is gunning for an 11th Australian Open title, is a fan with his new coach Andy Murray planning to use them.

"I think it's great that the Australian Open introduced the coaching box on the court at the same level in the corner," said the Serb.

"I think it's great. That's where Andy and the coaching staff will sit."