Roberto De Zerbi is the new manager of Tottenham Hotspur, arriving with the immediate challenge of securing Premier League survival in the final seven games of the season. The club is precariously positioned just one point above the relegation zone, having suffered seven defeats in their last nine outings. De Zerbi's appointment comes after a swift managerial change, with interim boss Igor Tudor dismissed on Sunday just 44 days after his arrival. According to Tottenham sporting director Johan Lange, De Zerbi was the club's number one target for the summer, praised as a creative and forward-thinking coach. De Zerbi stated he is delighted to join Tottenham, believes in the club's ambition, and signed a long-term contract to deliver it, while adding that the short-term priority is to climb the Premier League table.
De Zerbi's contract is a five-year deal with significant financial implications. Multiple reports indicate his annual salary is £12 million, a figure that places him among the Premier League's highest-paid managers, reportedly only topped by Pep Guardiola. Crucially, his contract does not include a break clause should Tottenham be relegated, potentially creating substantial financial pressure for the club if they drop to the Championship. This commitment reflects Tottenham's persuasive efforts, as De Zerbi had been available since his exit from Marseille in February but was understood to have been reluctant to take the job immediately, preferring a summer start. The club secured his immediate services by offering the lengthy deal and huge salary.
My philosophy is to enjoy football and be a protagonist by keeping possession and building up play through creative players.
In his first days at the helm, De Zerbi has moved quickly to implement his vision under intense time pressure. He stated his desire to bring back the attacking style of play seen under Ange Postecoglou, often referred to as 'Ange-ball.' To transfer his ideas, De Zerbi has held numerous individual meetings with players and team meetings, but due to the limited time, he is focusing on only two or three key ideas for the pitch. Multiple reports confirm he is living in on-site accommodation at the training ground to work long hours, demonstrating his commitment to the survival bid. He also honored extra days off given to Cristian Romero and Pedro Porro by interim boss Igor Tudor, and after his first week, De Zerbi claimed he was pleasantly surprised by the spirit inside the camp.
Player availability will be critical in the relegation battle, with key injuries affecting the squad. Multiple reports indicate that Mohammed Kudus is set to return from injury later in April, which could boost Tottenham's survival chances. However, interim manager Igor Tudor previously indicated Kudus would not be fit until the end of April, creating uncertainty over his exact return date. Another significant absence is Dejan Kulusevski, who has not played this season due to patella surgery and a recent minor knee operation, according to multiple reports. His teammate noted that Kulusevski cried after Sweden qualified for the World Cup, attributing it to his emotional season and injury struggles.
I am delighted to join Tottenham, believe in the club's ambition, and signed a long-term contract to deliver it.
De Zerbi's arrival has been marred by controversy stemming from past comments about Mason Greenwood. De Zerbi previously managed Greenwood at Marseille and described him as a 'good guy' who paid a 'heavy price,' according to reports. Greenwood moved to Marseille in 2024, two years after he was arrested on suspicion of rape, assault, and coercive and controlling behaviour, with charges dropped the following year. The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust raised serious concerns about De Zerbi's comments, calling them offensive and alarming. In response, De Zerbi has insisted he never wanted to downplay violence against women and apologized if he offended anyone, according to reports.
Pundits have expressed mixed reactions and doubts about De Zerbi's suitability for the high-pressure role. According to reports, Tim Sherwood described De Zerbi as not 'a safe pair of hands' for Tottenham's relegation battle. Danny Murphy expressed concerns about De Zerbi's ability to keep Tottenham up, comparing the situation to Graham Potter's move from Brighton to Chelsea. According to reports, Rio Ferdinand said he would turn down the Tottenham job if in De Zerbi's position, citing the club's lack of ambition and spending. In contrast, former Tottenham player Victor Wanyama backs De Zerbi to succeed, with reports indicating he believes De Zerbi can save Tottenham from relegation and turn them into a competitive force.
The short-term priority is to climb the Premier League table.
De Zerbi's managerial background is marked by notable successes, particularly at Brighton. Research indicates he is one of football's maverick managers who prefers playing with a swagger over set pieces and fine margins. Most players who have worked under him say he changed the way they perceived football. At Brighton, he led the club to their highest-ever Premier League finish of sixth in the 2022-23 season and took them to the Europa League last 16 a season later. His achievements have kept him in high regard elsewhere; research shows he remains high on Manchester United's shortlist for the upcoming summer.
However, De Zerbi's style carries inherent risks and volatility. Research suggests no 'big club' had previously hired him due to his volatility and the risk of team collapses. His teams are almost as likely to blow teams away as they are to get walked all over, according to research. A notable example of his combustible management was a falling-out with Leandro Trossard at Brighton, which multiple reports indicate led to Trossard's transfer to Arsenal. Whether this past volatility will impact Tottenham's performance in the relegation battle remains an open question as he takes charge of a squad under extreme pressure.
De Zerbi was our number one target for the summer and praised him as a creative and forward-thinking coach.
The context of De Zerbi's availability reveals Tottenham's determined pursuit. He left Marseille in February, stating the departure was due to 'a different view of football.' Tottenham had made checks on De Zerbi at the end of the 2022-23 season, according to research, indicating long-standing interest. His immediate appointment came after the dismissal of Igor Tudor, who was sacked just 44 days into his interim tenure. De Zerbi's reluctance to join immediately was overcome by the offer of a five-year deal and a salary among the league's highest, persuading him to take on the immediate relegation fight.
De Zerbi's immediate focus is squarely on the upcoming fixtures and avoiding the drop. He will work under the title of head coach and promised fans he would strive to deliver exciting football. Research indicates his first job is to evade relegation from the Premier League, with his first game against Sunderland on Sunday week. De Zerbi took encouragement from Tottenham's recent draw at Liverpool and win against Atlético Madrid, suggesting there are positive foundations to build upon. According to reports, De Zerbi described his philosophy as enjoying football and being a protagonist by keeping possession and building up play through creative players, an approach he will aim to implement quickly.
He is a good guy who paid a heavy price.
Uncertainties loom over several aspects of Tottenham's survival bid. The exact return date for Mohammed Kudus from injury is unclear, with reports conflicting between 'later in April' and 'end of April.' Additionally, the specific 'key ideas' De Zerbi is focusing on for the pitch have not been detailed, given the limited time before the next match. How the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust's concerns about De Zerbi's comments on Mason Greenwood will affect fan support or club decisions is also unknown, potentially influencing the atmosphere around the team.
Potential impacts of fan concerns and the financial risks if relegation occurs add layers of complexity. The controversy over De Zerbi's Greenwood comments could alienate some supporters, affecting matchday morale during critical games. Financially, De Zerbi's high salary and five-year contract without a relegation clause could strain Tottenham's resources if they are relegated, complicating any potential rebuild in the Championship. The club's investment in De Zerbi represents a significant gamble, betting on his ability to not only secure survival but also fulfill the long-term ambition he referenced upon joining.
I never wanted to downplay violence against women and apologize if I offended anyone.
De Zerbi is not 'a safe pair of hands' for Tottenham's relegation battle.
I would turn down the Tottenham job if in De Zerbi's position, citing the club's lack of ambition and spending.