Tottenham have appointed Roberto De Zerbi as their manager for the third time this season.
De Zerbi has agreed terms on a five-year contract with Spurs, who are currently one point above the bottom three sides in the Premier League and do not include a relegation clause.
Spurs are battling to avoid being relegated to the top flight for the first time since 1977 in the final seven games of the season.
The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Trust said De Zerbi’s appointment “raises serious and widespread concerns” as he supported Mason Greenwood during his time as Marseille manager.
Sky Sports News understands that the Spurs board carefully considered and discussed the sentiment regarding the relationship between Dezerbi and Greenwood during the recruitment process, and the new head coach is expected to address the issue.
De Zerbi said moving up the table was Spurs’ “short-term priority” with more than a week to prepare for their first game, a trip to Sunderland on April 12, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
The pressure is on to get Igor Tudor appointed on the heels of a disastrous 44 days without winning a Premier League game. The Spurs have changed three head coaches in the past year.
After leaving Marseille, De Zerbi, who was previously reluctant to accept a job until the summer, said that after discussions with club leaders he was convinced to join Spurs on a “long-term contract”.
“Their ambitions for the future are clear: to build a team that can achieve great things and deliver a style of football that excites and inspires supporters,” Dezerbi told the Spurs website.
“I am here because I believe in that ambition and have signed a long-term contract to do everything in my power to realize it.”
Sporting director Johan Lange said Spurs were delighted that De Zerbi, who was first choice to take over in the summer, had agreed to take on the responsibility of staying in the Premier League.
Lange added: “He is one of the most creative and forward-thinking leaders in world football and brings a wealth of experience at the highest levels, including the Premier League.”
How does De Zerbi plan to keep Spurs going?
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Michael Bridge and Kabe Solgecol give their thoughts on Tottenham Hotspur’s new head coach, Roberto de Zerbi.
Sky Sports News Chief Correspondent Kaveh Solhekol:
Roberto De Zerbi is up to the challenge. Spurs are seven games away from avoiding relegation for the first time since 1977 and he feels it is a huge responsibility to ensure they maintain their place in the Premier League at all times.
Everyone at Tottenham, just one point above the drop zone, is aware of the precarious position they are in.
De Zerbi has made it clear that his only goal at the moment is to focus his resources on ensuring the club’s survival. Anything else – achieving his long-term goals and getting Tottenham back into the top end of the Premier League – will take a backseat.
Italians do not buy into the narrative that rebuilding and total change is needed. He is well aware of the current team’s strengths and believes they need consistency, solid goals and a clear path out of danger.
Much has been said about De Zerbi’s expansive approach, with former Brighton captain Lewis Dunk saying he “embarrassed” the players when he arrived at the club in September 2022.
However, with Spurs’ current predicament, it is understood that the players will not overcomplicate the situation and will instead simplify their game and tactics to maximize profits in the short term.
The 46-year-old believes the many changes at Spurs have had an impact on the players, who will now fight for a common cause.
There is also a question mark over his resiliency, given that he left the club at Brighton and Marseille despite his superiority.
For De Zerbi, it’s a sign of his passion for the job, and he places great demands on himself, his players, sporting director and senior management. He believes that challenging each other is the best way to improve and get the best from everyone.
De Zerbi’s appointment had raised concerns from some Spurs fan groups due to his support for Mason Greenwood when he was manager of Marseille.
It is understood that he expects questions about this when he appears before the media for the first time.
But ultimately, De Zerbi wants a strong relationship with fans, as he has at every club before him, to prevent Spurs from falling out of the Championship.
“If De Zerbi can keep Spurs, it will be the best money Spurs have spent.”
Paul Merson of Sky Sports:
I was pretty bullish on Tottenham staying, but after the Nottingham Forest game (which Spurs lost 3-0 at home) you think, ‘Wow’. They are really in trouble. ”
It just shows what a big club Tottenham are. I know they are struggling at the moment, but to get a top-notch top manager like De Zerbi. Having him come to the club would say everything about how big Tottenham are. So they have a chance now.
I don’t care how much money he gets. Whatever he gets, if he keeps them, it will be the best money they’ve ever, ever spent.
He wanted to join at the beginning of next season, but he will join now. So they have to throw the kitchen sink at him. You have to do that. They can’t afford to be depressed.
Can De Zerbi provide the required results immediately?
Tottenham, currently one point above the relegation zone, need a head coach who can deliver immediate results to ensure they remain in the league with seven games remaining.
De Zerbi established himself as a coach who instilled a possession-based philosophy and built a team that was praised for its appealing style of football.
However, the Italian’s start at Brighton, who was appointed midway through the 2022 season following the departure of Graham Potter, suggests he may struggle to make the necessary impact.
Despite a tough schedule, De Zerbi failed to win his first five Premier League games in charge of Brighton, drawing two and losing three.
When he was appointed to Serie A newcomer Benevento midway through the 2017 season, De Zerbi’s team were praised for their football, but were relegated from Italy’s top flight.
De Zerbi did not win a single game in his first nine games as Benevento’s manager.
The Italian struggled when he took charge of Palermo midway through the 2016 season, winning just one of 13 games before being sacked after less than three months in charge.
