Roberto De Zerbi is the new Tottenham Hotspur manager, stepping into a critical situation with the club in 17th place, a point ahead of West Ham United and two points behind Nottingham Forest. Tottenham have not won a Premier League game in the first 100 days of 2026, intensifying the relegation threat as they hover one point above the drop zone. This precarious position follows the interim tenure of Igor Tudor, who lasted 44 days before De Zerbi's appointment, setting the stage for a high-stakes rescue mission.
De Zerbi's appointment comes with a significant financial commitment, with multiple reports indicating his annual salary is £12 million. According to research sources, Spurs persuaded him to join immediately by offering a five-year deal and a huge salary only topped by Pep Guardiola in the Premier League, rather than waiting for the summer as he initially preferred. De Zerbi stated his short-term priority is to climb the Premier League table, with his first job being to evade relegation from the Premier League, starting with a game against Sunderland on Sunday week. He will work under the title of head coach and promised fans he would deliver exciting football, aiming to instill a new direction at the club.
I left Marseille due to 'a different view of football'.
The appointment has sparked controversy due to De Zerbi's past remarks about Mason Greenwood. Roberto De Zerbi previously defended Mason Greenwood, calling him a 'good guy' who paid a 'heavy price'. According to Daily Express - Sport, Roberto De Zerbi described Greenwood in those terms. De Zerbi later apologized for his Mason Greenwood comments, stating he never wanted to downplay violence against women. According to Daily Mail - Sport, Roberto De Zerbi described his intent not to minimize such violence. The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust raised concerns about these comments, calling them 'unnecessary, ill-judged, and deeply offensive'.
Fan reaction has been mixed, with the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust issuing a statement raising serious concerns about Roberto De Zerbi's appointment. The THST cited Roberto De Zerbi's previous comments about Mason Greenwood, who played for him at Marseille after being arrested on suspicion of rape and assault. This has led to questions about the club's decision-making process and the potential impact on supporter trust, though the full details of the trust's concerns beyond the Mason Greenwood comments remain unclear.
He is a good guy who paid a heavy price.
Football pundits and former players have offered divided opinions on De Zerbi's suitability. According to Daily Mail - Sport, 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 him to Graham Potter's move from Brighton to Chelsea, according to Daily Mail - Sport. In contrast, Victor Wanyama backs Roberto De Zerbi to save Tottenham from relegation and turn them into a competitive force, a sentiment echoed by Daily Mail - Sport. Rio Ferdinand said he would turn down the Tottenham job if he were Roberto De Zerbi, citing the club's lack of ambition and spending, according to Metro - Main.
De Zerbi's coaching philosophy centers on an attacking, possession-based style. Roberto De Zerbi wants to implement an attacking style similar to Ange Postecoglou's 'Ange-ball'. According to www.goal.com, Roberto De Zerbi described his philosophy as enjoying football and being a protagonist by keeping possession and building up play through creative players. 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 Roberto De Zerbi say he changed the way they perceived football, suggesting a transformative approach that could reshape Tottenham's identity.
I never wanted to downplay violence against women.
His track record includes notable achievements, such as leading Brighton to their highest-ever Premier League finish of sixth in 2022-23. Roberto De Zerbi made waves in France with Marseille, though according to The Guardian - Football, Roberto De Zerbi described leaving Marseille due to 'a different view of football'. However, research suggests no 'big club' had previously hired Roberto De Zerbi due to his volatility and the risk of his teams collapsing. His teams are as likely to blow teams away as they are to get walked all over, highlighting the high-risk, high-reward nature of his management.
Tottenham's pursuit of De Zerbi was a calculated move, with Spurs making checks on him at the end of the 2022-23 season. Roberto De Zerbi was reluctant to take the Spurs job immediately, preferring to join in the summer, but the club secured his services early. Johan Lange said Roberto De Zerbi was Tottenham's number one target for the summer and is a creative, forward-thinking coach, emphasizing the long-term vision behind the appointment.
He is not 'a safe pair of hands' for Tottenham's relegation battle.
Since arriving, De Zerbi has taken immediate action to connect with the squad. Roberto De Zerbi has held many individual and team meetings with players to instill his ideas, according to multiple reports. He is living in on-site accommodation at Tottenham's training ground to work long hours, demonstrating his commitment. Cristian Romero and Pedro Porro were given extra days off by Igor Tudor, which Roberto De Zerbi honored, showing a balance between implementing new methods and respecting existing arrangements.
The managerial situation before De Zerbi was unstable, with Igor Tudor serving as Tottenham's interim manager before Roberto De Zerbi, lasting 44 days. The exact timeline and circumstances of Igor Tudor's sacking, beyond it occurring 44 days after his arrival, remain unknown, but his brief tenure underscored the club's urgent need for a permanent solution amid the relegation fight.
I have concerns about his ability to keep Tottenham up, comparing him to Graham Potter's move from Brighton to Chelsea.
Player availability will be crucial in the survival bid, with Mohammed Kudus set to return from injury later in April, which could boost Tottenham's survival chances, though the exact date when he will be available to play is not confirmed. Dejan Kulusevski cried after Sweden qualified for the World Cup, amid his injury struggles, adding emotional and physical challenges to the squad dynamics.
Past conflicts also loom, as Roberto De Zerbi had a falling-out with Leandro Trossard at Brighton, leading to Trossard's transfer to Arsenal. The specific reasons behind this falling-out are not detailed in available reports, but it highlights potential relationship management issues that could resurface at Tottenham.
I back him to save Tottenham from relegation and turn them into a competitive force.
The immediate focus is on a crucial match away to Sunderland on April 12. Tottenham's next game is away to Sunderland on April 12, with the match start reported by other sources as at 15:00. This fixture is critical for De Zerbi's start, as Sunderland meets Tottenham in the Premier League in a clash that could define their relegation prospects.
Potential lineup decisions are already under speculation, with other sources suggesting Roberto De Zerbi's first starting lineup includes Swedish player Lucas Bergvall. Sunderland's starting lineup is reported as: Roefs - Mukiele, O'Nien, Alderete, Reinildo - Xhaka, Sadiki, Diarra - Rigg, Brobbey, Le Fee, while Tottenham's is reported as: Kinsky - Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie - Bergvall, Gallagher, Gray - Kolo Muani, Solanke, Richarlison, though these are from low-confidence sources and subject to change.
I would turn down the Tottenham job if I were him, citing the club's lack of ambition and spending.
Looking ahead, Roberto De Zerbi remains high on Manchester United's shortlist for the upcoming summer, indicating his reputation could lead to further opportunities regardless of Tottenham's outcome. This adds a layer of complexity to his long-term commitment, though his current focus is squarely on survival.
Unresolved questions persist, including whether Roberto De Zerbi's contract includes a relegation clause, as some sources mention a five-year deal with no relegation clause while others do not specify. The disagreement over Tottenham's league position—with some sources stating they are one point above the relegation zone and others claiming they are below the relegation line—creates confusion about how dire the situation is, affecting perceptions of the relegation threat and urgency for De Zerbi. Ultimately, his ability to navigate these challenges will determine Tottenham's Premier League future and his own legacy at the club.
The mental aspect is crucial for Tottenham's performance.
My philosophy is to enjoy football and be a protagonist by keeping possession and building up play through creative players.
I am delighted to join Tottenham, believe in the club's ambition, and signed a long-term contract to deliver it.
He was Tottenham's number one target for the summer and is a creative, forward-thinking coach.