The 46-year-old Italian tactician has signed a five-year contract to become the club's third manager of a turbulent 2025-26 campaign. Tasked with halting a 13-game winless run, De Zerbi inherits a squad sitting just one point above the drop zone with seven matches remaining. His arrival follows the brief 44-day tenure of Igor Tudor and the earlier sacking of Thomas Frank.

No Relegation Clause

In a show of long-term commitment despite the current crisis, De Zerbi's five-year deal notably excludes any release clause should the club drop to the Championship.

Supporter Group Backlash

The appointment has faced public opposition from groups including Proud Lilywhites and Women of the Lane due to De Zerbi's past support of Mason Greenwood at Marseille.

Tactical Shift Expected

Analysts predict a move toward a high-risk, possession-based 'firestarter' style, contrasting with the pragmatic approaches that failed under previous managers this season.

Debut Against Sunderland

De Zerbi will have nearly two weeks to prepare the squad before his first match in charge, an away fixture at Sunderland scheduled for April 12.

Tottenham Hotspur appointed Roberto De Zerbi as their new head coach on March 31, 2026, on a five-year contract with no relegation release clause, tasking the 46-year-old Italian with rescuing the club from a Premier League relegation battle. De Zerbi becomes the club's third manager of the 2025-26 season, following Thomas Frank, who was sacked in February, and interim coach Igor Tudor, who departed by mutual consent on Sunday, March 29. Spurs sit 17th in the Premier League, one point and one place above the relegation zone, with seven games remaining. Sporting Director Johan Lange confirmed De Zerbi had been the club's primary target. „Roberto was our number one target for the summer and we are very pleased to be able to bring him in now. He is one of the most creative and forward-thinking coaches in world football, and brings with him a wealth of experience at the highest level, including in the Premier League.” — Johan Lange via Reuters

Tudor's 44-day reign ends in defeat and personal tragedy Igor Tudor's tenure as interim manager lasted just 44 days and seven games, during which Tottenham collected only one point from five Premier League matches. Tudor's final game in charge was a 3-0 home defeat to fellow relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest. The Guardian reported that the club had already begun exploring alternatives after a home loss to Crystal Palace on March 5, but delayed the formal announcement of Tudor's exit out of sensitivity following the death of his father, Mario, after the Forest match. Tudor replaced Thomas Frank, who had himself been sacked on February 11 after a disappointing first half of the season. Tottenham have not won a league match since December, a run of 13 games without a top-flight victory — their longest such run in 91 years, according to The Independent.

Tottenham won the Europa League in the 2024-25 season but entered the current campaign under Ange Postecoglou, who was replaced by Thomas Frank in the summer of 2025. The club has not been relegated from the top flight since 1977. De Zerbi previously managed Brighton and Hove Albion, guiding them to a sixth-place Premier League finish and the club's first-ever European qualification before leaving at the end of the 2023-24 season. He then joined Marseille, where he led the club to a second-place finish in Ligue 1 in 2024-25 before departing in February 2026 following a 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

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De Zerbi's attacking philosophy poses immediate tactical risk De Zerbi built his reputation on a possession-based, attack-first style that emphasises short goal kicks, intricate build-up play, man-to-man pressing, and a high defensive line. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola once described De Zerbi's systems as unique and labelled him one of the most influential coaches of the last 20 years, according to Reuters. The Independent noted that implementing this demanding tactical identity at a club that managed 50 percent or more possession only twice during Tudor's tenure represents a significant risk. De Zerbi's first game in charge will be away at Sunderland on April 12, after which Spurs host his former club Brighton. The remaining seven fixtures also include matches against Aston Villa, Chelsea, and Everton. „Our short-term priority is to climb the Premier League table, which will be the complete focus until the final whistle of the last game of the season. I'm looking forward to getting out on the training pitch and working with these players to achieve that.” — Roberto De Zerbi via Sky News

7 (games remaining) — Tottenham's remaining Premier League fixtures to avoid relegation

Fan groups oppose appointment over Mason Greenwood association De Zerbi's appointment has drawn opposition from sections of the Tottenham fanbase, with three supporter groups — Proud Lilywhites, Women of the Lane, and Spurs Reach — issuing statements urging the board not to hire him. The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Trust also stated on Tuesday that it could not support the hiring. The concerns centre on De Zerbi's past association with Mason Greenwood, whom he signed at Marseille in 2024. Greenwood was charged in October 2022 with one count of attempted rape, one count of controlling and coercive behaviour, and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm over allegations relating to a young woman after images and videos were posted online. The Crown Prosecution Service dropped all charges in February 2023, citing a combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light, which meant there was no realistic prospect of conviction. The Guardian reported that Spurs had previously indicated De Zerbi would not be an option due to concerns over the optics of his backing of Greenwood, but the club ultimately reversed that position. „This appointment raises serious and far-reaching concerns, and many fans have been in touch with us to urge us to communicate the strength of feeling.” — Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Trust via Sky News

Tottenham Hotspur

Mentioned People

  • Roberto De Zerbi — obecny trener klubu Premier League Tottenham Hotspur
  • Thomas Frank — były menedżer Tottenhamu zwolniony w lutym 2026 roku
  • Igor Tudor — były trener tymczasowy, który odszedł po 44 dniach pracy
  • Johan Lange — dyrektor sportowy Tottenhamu Hotspur
  • Mason Greenwood — angielski napastnik, którego przeszłość prawna wywołała protesty przeciwko De Zerbiemu

Sources: 13 articles