The powers-that-be at Tottenham Hotspur were reportedly left furious with the manner of their side's FA Cup exit last week.
The Lilywhites, who have not won a major trophy since the 2007-08 EFL Cup, fell to a 1-0 loss to Championship side Sheffield United in Wednesday's fifth-round tie at Bramall Lane.
A well-taken solo goal from Iliman Ndiaye settled the contest, as the Blades set up a quarter-final showdown at home with fellow second-tier side Blackburn Rovers.
Cristian Stellini oversaw operations from the touchline, with Antonio Conte still at home recovering from gallbladder surgery, and the Spurs coaches did not shy away from making several changes.
Fringe players such as Davinson Sanchez, Pape Sarr and Lucas Moura were named in the first XI, while Dejan Kulusevski and Harry Kane were brought off the bench to little effect.
Kane was presented with a glorious last-minute chance to equalise, but the England captain headed wide from Ivan Perisic's cross as Tottenham missed out on another potential run to silverware.
According to The Sun, Tottenham's board were infuriated with Wednesday's dampening defeat, having viewed the FA Cup as a magnificent chance to end their trophyless streak.
The North London club have now suffered four successive FA Cup fifth-round exits, having also been dumped out by Norwich City, Everton and Middlesbrough since 2019-20.
Conte's side are now only fighting for success in the Premier League and Champions League, and they have a 1-0 deficit against AC Milan to make up in the last 16 of the latter competition.
Meanwhile, a 1-0 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers in Saturday's top-flight battle left Spurs fourth in the Premier League table and 18 points adrift of leaders Arsenal after 26 games.
Nevertheless, Stellini insisted that he had no regrets about Spurs' team selection at Bramall Lane, namely the decision to leave Kane on the bench, telling the press: "It is not a regret.
"We need to look in the medium period, we have many games. Harry Kane played in the last six games, one time with fever, one time with a problem, we have to take care of our best player.
"It's not about Harry because we played with Richarlison, Lucas Moura and Sonny. I think it is good enough to play in this competition and against this sort of team. I think the team we chose to play the game was fine."
Tottenham are next in action in Wednesday's Champions League last-16 second leg against Milan, who gleaned a slender advantage at San Siro three weeks ago courtesy of Brahim Diaz's winner.
Conte is expected to be back on the touchline for the visit of the Italian champions, having been advised to remain in his homeland after the first leg following a post-operation health check. body check tags ::
