Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi as their new head coach, with chief executive Vinai Venkatesham and sporting director Johan Lange settling on the Italian after Igor Tudor left his role by mutual consent. Tudor's tenure lasted only 44 days, marking one of the briefest managerial stints in the club's recent history. This swift change comes as Tottenham face a critical period in their campaign, with their next match against Sunderland on April 12 looming large.
Igor Tudor's spell at Tottenham proved deeply unsuccessful, as he failed to secure a single Premier League victory during his time in charge. His only point came from a draw at Liverpool, while his sole win was in the Champions League last-16 second leg against Atletico Madrid, which was insufficient for advancement in the competition. According to multiple reports, Tudor lost each of his first four matches as Tottenham boss, and the team has suffered five defeats in seven matches across all competitions since he succeeded Thomas Frank on February 14. Tottenham are without a victory in 13 league matches since a 1-0 triumph over Crystal Palace on December 28, with their last win in any competition dating back to January 28 against Eintracht Frankfurt.
I know it's a tough time for Tottenham, I know very well it's a tough time. But I believe we have the quality to handle this. I believe in the players.
The club now finds itself in a precarious league position, sitting just one point above the relegation places in the Premier League. This alarming slide has heightened the urgency surrounding De Zerbi's appointment, with Tottenham's immediate challenge being to secure points in their upcoming fixture against Sunderland. The match represents a crucial opportunity to distance themselves from the drop zone and begin a turnaround under new leadership.
Roberto De Zerbi arrives at Tottenham with a notable background, having been unemployed since leaving Marseille in February and previously managing Brighton in the Premier League. According to major media reports, De Zerbi was a highly desirable Premier League target, with Manchester United speaking to him in summer 2024. Tottenham had also considered him when they sacked Thomas Frank in February, but he declined at that time due to needing a period away from the game.
I will stay no matter what.
Tottenham's preference throughout their search was to appoint a permanent head coach rather than an interim solution. The club explored enticing a currently-employed manager, with Mauricio Pochettino emerging as a popular choice among some factions. According to research, Tottenham had been linked with several left-field options to replace Igor Tudor, including Harry Redknapp, Tim Sherwood, Chris Hughton, and even defender Ben Davies as possible interim solutions. The Austrian manager Adi Hutter, who was let go by Monaco earlier in the season and has been out of a job since, also reportedly had contact made with Tottenham, creating conflicting reports about who the club was targeting.
Contract negotiations with De Zerbi appear to have progressed significantly. TalkSPORT reporters Alex Crook and Ben Jacobs revealed that an agreement is close between Roberto De Zerbi and Tottenham. TalkSPORT reported that a significant survival bonus and signing-on fee have been put to De Zerbi from Tottenham. Journalist Rudy Galetti revealed that a lucrative deal and assurances of major summer investment are key factors in De Zerbi's potential U-turn, suggesting the financial package played a substantial role in securing his commitment.
We face a big challenge and I will be Tottenham's manager next season, no matter what.
De Zerbi has already begun work at the club, with reporter Nicolo Schira claiming he is working to build and complete his staff at Tottenham. This immediate action underscores the urgency of the situation, as Tottenham have little time to prepare for their upcoming matches. The new head coach will need to quickly implement his methods and establish his coaching team to address the team's poor form.
The injury situation at Tottenham presents both challenges and some relief for the new manager. According to multiple reports, Mathys Tel, Conor Gallagher, Lucas Bergvall, and Joao Palhinha participated in training on Roberto De Zerbi's first day, alleviating some injury concerns. However, Pape Sarr sustained a shoulder problem during the international break and was not visible in training footage, casting doubt on his availability. Doubts also remain over Guglielmo Vicario's availability following hernia surgery, though there is optimism that Mohammed Kudus and Rodrigo Bentancur will be back in contention after beginning individual training. James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski remain Tottenham's longest-serving absentees, working towards a comeback that could significantly boost the squad.
We thank Igor, Tomislav and Riccardo for their efforts during the past six weeks, in which they worked tirelessly.
Following Igor Tudor's departure, Bruno Saltor has been overseeing training sessions as the interim solution. Tottenham confirmed that goalkeeping coach Tomislav Rogic and physical coach Riccardo Ragnacci have also departed alongside Tudor, creating a clean slate for De Zerbi to assemble his own backroom team. The club issued a statement thanking Igor, Tomislav and Riccardo for their efforts during the past six weeks, in which they worked tirelessly, while also acknowledging the bereavement that Igor has recently suffered and sending support to him and his family at this difficult time.
Conflicting reports have emerged regarding De Zerbi's contract terms. Reports in the Daily Mail claimed there was an exit clause in Roberto De Zerbi's contract, making it possible for him to leave if Tottenham are relegated. However, other sources indicate that Roberto De Zerbi intends to honor his contract even if Tottenham are relegated to the Championship, creating uncertainty about the specific terms of his agreement with the club.
We also acknowledge the bereavement that Igor has recently suffered and send our support to him and his family at this difficult time.
Igor Tudor's personal circumstances may have contributed to his struggles, as research indicates he did not undertake post-match media duties after the defeat by Nottingham Forest because of the death of his father. This bereavement likely added to the challenges he faced during his brief tenure, though poor results remained the primary factor in his departure. Tottenham's statement acknowledged this difficult period for Tudor and his family.
The appointment of Roberto De Zerbi represents a significant gamble for Tottenham, betting on a manager with Premier League experience to rescue their season from potential relegation. His track record at Brighton suggests he can implement an attractive, effective style of play, but he faces the immediate challenge of improving results with a squad struggling for confidence. The long-term implications will depend on whether he can secure survival this season and then reshape the squad during the summer transfer window.
An update on a new head coach will be provided in due course.
Several unknowns surround this managerial change, including the specific terms and financial details of Roberto De Zerbi's contract with Tottenham, particularly regarding any bonuses or relegation clauses. How De Zerbi will address Tottenham's injury crisis and which key players will be available for upcoming matches remains unclear, though early training participation offers some positive signs. The exact circumstances leading to Igor Tudor's rapid departure after only 44 days, beyond the reported poor results, have not been fully disclosed, leaving questions about whether other factors contributed to the mutual consent agreement.
Further uncertainties include Tottenham's precise league position and point tally relative to the relegation zone, as different sources may present slightly varying calculations. The club's plans for the summer transfer window and how they will reshape the squad under Roberto De Zerbi have not been detailed publicly, though assurances of investment reportedly played a role in his appointment. These factors will significantly influence Tottenham's ability to rebuild regardless of which division they find themselves in next season.