Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed Roberto De Zerbi as their new men's head coach on a long-term contract, subject to work permit. The Italian succeeds Igor Tudor, who left after just seven games amid the club's relegation battle. De Zerbi aims to lift Spurs from 17th in the Premier League table.
Tottenham Hotspur announced the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi as their third head coach this season. The club stated: “We are pleased to announce the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi as our new Men’s Head Coach on a long-term contract, subject to work permit.” This follows the sacking of Thomas Frank and the brief tenure of Igor Tudor, who managed only seven games before departing as Spurs fight to avoid relegation, currently sitting 17th and one point above the drop zone. De Zerbi joins after spells at Brighton & Hove Albion, where he secured their highest-ever Premier League finish and European qualification in 2022/23, and Marseille, runners-up in Ligue 1 last season. His earlier roles included Sassuolo and Shakhtar Donetsk, where he won the Ukrainian Super Cup. Speaking as the new coach, De Zerbi said: “I am delighted to be joining this fantastic football club, which is one of the biggest and most prestigious in the world. In all my discussions with the Club’s leadership, their ambition for the future has been clear – to build a team capable of reaching great achievements, and to do that playing a style of football that excites and inspires our supporters. I am here because I believe in that ambition and have signed a long-term contract to give everything to deliver it. 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.” The deal lacks a relegation clause, signaling his commitment even if the club goes down. De Zerbi's first match is away at Sunderland, followed by a home game against his former club Brighton. With an international break ahead, he has over a week to prepare.
