Roberto De Zerbi is the new manager of Tottenham Hotspur, taking charge with the club in 17th place and just one point above the relegation zone. He has seven games to save Tottenham from dropping into the Championship, with the team a point ahead of West Ham and two points behind Nottingham Forest. This precarious position follows the sacking of interim manager Igor Tudor on Sunday, just 44 days after his arrival, as Spurs seek a dramatic turnaround to secure their Premier League status.
De Zerbi's appointment immediately drew criticism from supporters due to comments he made while at Marseille defending Mason Greenwood, who moved to Marseille in 2024 after being arrested in 2022 on suspicion of rape, assault, and coercive behavior, with charges dropped the following year. According to Daily Express - Sport, Roberto De Zerbi described Greenwood as a 'good guy' who paid a 'heavy price'. The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust raised serious concerns about De Zerbi's appointment due to his Greenwood comments. In response, De Zerbi has apologized, stating he never wanted to downplay violence against women, and according to Daily Mail - Sport, Roberto De Zerbi described that he never intended to minimize such issues.
My philosophy is to enjoy football and be a protagonist by keeping possession and building up play through creative players.
De Zerbi arrives with a reputation as one of football's maverick managers who prefers playing with a swagger over set pieces and fine margins. Most players who have worked under De Zerbi say he changed the way they perceived football, and he led Brighton to their highest-ever Premier League finish of sixth in 2022-23. However, no 'big club' had previously hired De Zerbi due to his volatility and the risk of team collapses, as his teams are as likely to blow teams away as they are to get walked all over. Tottenham's technical director Johan Lange said De Zerbi was Tottenham's number one target for the summer and is a creative, forward-thinking coach, with Spurs having made checks on De Zerbi at the end of the 2022-23 season.
To secure De Zerbi's immediate services, Tottenham offered a lucrative package. According to major media reports, De Zerbi's annual salary is £12 million, making it a huge salary only topped by Pep Guardiola in the Premier League. De Zerbi had been available since his exit from Marseille in February, but he was reluctant to take the Spurs job immediately, preferring to join in the summer. Spurs persuaded De Zerbi to join immediately by offering a five-year deal, with the financial terms proving decisive in his decision to take on the relegation battle.
I am delighted to join Tottenham, believe in the club's ambition, and signed a long-term contract to deliver it.
Upon arrival, De Zerbi has wasted no time in implementing his vision. According to the manager himself, De Zerbi wants to implement an attacking style similar to Ange Postecoglou's 'Ange-ball'. He has held many individual and team meetings with players to transfer his ideas, and according to major media sources, is living in on-site accommodation at Tottenham's training ground. According to major media reports, De Zerbi analyzed Tottenham's recent matches and took encouragement from draws and wins against top teams, suggesting he sees potential in the squad despite their lowly position.
Player availability will be crucial in the survival fight. According to major media reports, Cristian Romero and Pedro Porro were given extra days off by interim boss Igor Tudor, which De Zerbi honored. Mohammed Kudus is set to return from injury later in April, potentially boosting Tottenham's survival chances, though Igor Tudor previously indicated Kudus would not be fit until the end of April. The exact timeline for Mohammed Kudus's return from injury and his availability for upcoming matches remains uncertain, adding to the challenges De Zerbi faces in squad management.
He referred to Greenwood as a 'good guy' who paid a 'heavy price'.
Reactions from pundits and former players have been mixed. According to Daily Mail - Sport, Tim Sherwood described De Zerbi as not 'a safe pair of hands' for Tottenham's relegation battle. In contrast, according to Daily Mail - Sport, Victor Wanyama described backing De Zerbi to save Tottenham from relegation and turn them into a competitive force. Meanwhile, according to Metro - Main, Rio Ferdinand described that he would turn down the Tottenham job if he were De Zerbi, citing the club's lack of ambition and spending, highlighting the perceived difficulties of the role.
De Zerbi's past includes notable conflicts that may inform his approach at Tottenham. According to major media reports, De Zerbi had a falling-out with Leandro Trossard at Brighton, leading to Trossard's transfer to Arsenal. Additionally, according to The Guardian - Football, Roberto De Zerbi described leaving Marseille due to 'a different view of football', indicating his willingness to depart when philosophical differences arise. These incidents underscore his strong-willed nature, which could either galvanize or destabilize the squad during the high-pressure relegation run-in.
I never wanted to downplay violence against women.
Tottenham's managerial change places De Zerbi in a pivotal role. De Zerbi will work under the title of head coach and promised to deliver exciting football, with his short-term priority being to climb the Premier League table. The details of De Zerbi's contract, such as whether it includes performance-based clauses or bonuses, are not publicly known, but the long-term deal suggests the club sees him as a key figure beyond this season. How the Tottenham players have responded to De Zerbi's initial meetings and training sessions is unclear, but his intensive engagement suggests he is seeking quick buy-in.
De Zerbi's first test comes in an upcoming Premier League match. According to other sources, Sunderland meets Tottenham in the Premier League, with the match start at 15:00. According to other reports, Roberto De Zerbi's first starting lineup includes Swedish player Lucas Bergvall. According to other sources, Sunderland's starting lineup is: Roefs - Mukiele, O'Nien, Alderete, Reinildo - Xhaka, Sadiki, Diarra - Rigg, Brobbey, Le Fee. According to other sources, Tottenham's starting lineup is: Kinsky - Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie - Bergvall, Gallagher, Gray - Kolo Muani, Solanke, Richarlison, indicating De Zerbi's immediate tactical choices.
De Zerbi is not 'a safe pair of hands' for Tottenham's relegation battle.
Despite the immediate focus on survival, De Zerbi's future prospects extend beyond Tottenham. According to research sources, De Zerbi remains high on Manchester United's shortlist for the upcoming summer, suggesting his stock remains high in the managerial market. This interest could provide additional motivation or distraction as he navigates the relegation battle, with his performance likely influencing his career trajectory. Whether the fan backlash over the Mason Greenwood comments will affect De Zerbi's authority or support within the club is unknown, but his apology aims to mitigate any internal divisions.
Emotional moments have coincided with De Zerbi's appointment. According to major media reports, Dejan Kulusevski cried after Sweden qualified for the World Cup, on the same day De Zerbi was appointed. According to major media sources, Kulusevski has been sidelined all season after patella surgery and a minor knee procedure, highlighting the injury woes that have plagued Tottenham. What specific actions De Zerbi plans to implement immediately to improve Tottenham's performance are not fully detailed, but his emphasis on attacking football and player meetings suggests a holistic approach to revitalizing the team.
I back De Zerbi to save Tottenham from relegation and turn them into a competitive force.
I would turn down the Tottenham job if I were De Zerbi, citing the club's lack of ambition and spending.
I left Marseille due to 'a different view of football'.
De Zerbi was Tottenham's number one target for the summer and is a creative, forward-thinking coach.