Roberto De Zerbi named Tottenham manager

Following his time at Olympique de Marseille, Roberto De Zerbi has taken over as the head coach of Tottenham, the English club announced on Tuesday. The Italian has committed to a “long-term” stay, as stated in the club’s official statement, with British media reporting a five-year contract.

De Zerbi’s immediate task is to steer the Spurs away from a potentially disastrous relegation, as they currently sit 17th in the English league, just one point above the relegation zone with seven matches left in the season. He becomes the third coach for the London team this season after Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor, who were appointed and dismissed earlier this season. “Roberto was our number one target for the summer and we are very pleased to have him join us now,” said sporting director Johan Lange. “He is one of the most creative and visionary coaches in world football and brings with him vast experience at the highest level, including in the Premier League.”

Seven matches to avoid relegation

The former coach of Sassuolo and Shakhtar Donetsk returns to England nearly two years after leaving Brighton, where he managed the team from 2022 to 2024. De Zerbi then led Marseille before departing in February following a disappointing Champions League exit and a severe 5-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain.

De Zerbi will have seven matches to steer Tottenham clear of relegation this season, all in the Premier League, with the clear goal of avoiding a humiliating drop to the second division, a fate the north London club has not faced in over 50 years (1977-1978). Tottenham has not won any matches in 2026 so far, with five draws and eight losses. This poor run has brought them dangerously close to the relegation zone, just one point ahead of West Ham after 31 matches. De Zerbi may even find his team in the relegation zone at the start of his first match on April 12 against Sunderland, as West Ham will have played two days earlier against Wolverhampton.