Tottenham coach Cristian Stellini told the press that he doesn’t like being involved in fights or aggressive confrontations after being sent off along with Brighton coach Roberto De Zerbi during the Premier League clash between the two sides on Saturday afternoon.
The interim coach admitted that everyone was probably ‘full of anger and tension’ during the game, which led to multiple clashes between members of staff in the dugouts.
Stellini and De Zerbi were involved in a moment of confrontation before the game had even begun, with the Brighton coach appearing angered by a conversation after he and Stellini had shook hands prior to kick-off.
A coming together of staff from both sides in the technical area led to both coaches being dismissed after an hour of play.
Speaking to the media during his post-match press conference, Stellini said: “I want to speak only about my team and the game, not what happened between us and them on the bench.
“It was an important game and we beat them in their stadium. Probably every one of us was full of anger and tension. But everything that happened on the pitch stays there and it does now.”
“I don’t like to be involved when there is a fight or something too aggressive. I’m quiet and focused on the game. I try to do my job. It is only two games that I am a coach.
“I conceded the red card because if I try to stay calm and focus on the game I have to manage the bench and keep them calm but in that moment I was focused on the players.
“I lost my focus on the bench but I have to say that I was respectful and calm.
“I’m Cristian Stellini and I am the manager of Tottenham so I only speak of that. That is more important than anything.”
With the scores level at 1-1 after an hour when both coaches were dismissed, Spurs went on to find the eventual winner through Harry Kane after 79 minutes, maintaining Stellini’s unbeaten run as Tottenham head coach.
Stellini has picked up four points from his two games in charge since replacing Antonio Conte at the end of March and won 100% of the six games he had in charge while his former boss was recovering from gallbladder surgery prior to his exit.