Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi as their new manager on a long-term contract, tasking him with steering the club away from relegation in the Premier League.
The North London side currently sit just one point above the relegation zone with seven matches remaining this season, making De Zerbi’s immediate challenge a fight for survival. His first game in charge is expected to come against Sunderland.
The appointment follows the departure of interim coach Igor Tudor, who left by mutual consent after a difficult spell in which he secured just one point from five league games. His exit was delayed as the club showed sensitivity following the death of his father.
Tottenham had been considering alternatives after a string of poor performances, including a heavy home defeat to Crystal Palace. Although De Zerbi had initially planned to take a break after leaving Marseille earlier in the year, he was persuaded to take the role by the club’s long-term vision and the opportunity to shape the squad.
The Italian coach arrives with a strong reputation, having previously impressed at clubs such as Sassuolo, Shakhtar Donetsk, Brighton, and Marseille. During his time at Brighton, he led the club to a historic sixth-place finish and qualification for European competition.
Highly regarded for his attacking, possession-based style, De Zerbi has earned praise from top managers, including Pep Guardiola, who once described him as one of the most influential coaches of recent decades.
However, concerns remain about his temperament, following reported disagreements with players and club officials during previous roles. Tottenham will be hoping his tactical innovation outweighs any volatility as they battle to remain in the top flight.
De Zerbi acknowledged the urgency of the task, stating that his immediate focus is to lift the team up the table before the end of the season, while working toward building a competitive and exciting squad for the future.