Tottenham Hotspur has officially announced the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi as their new men’s first-team head coach. The Italian manager joins on a long-term contract, pending a work permit, stepping in to replace Igor Tudor. De Zerbi’s immediate and critical task is to steer Tottenham away from relegation from the Premier League, with the club currently sitting precariously in 17th place, just one point above the drop zone, with seven games remaining in the 2025-26 season.
De Zerbi’s inaugural match in charge will be an away fixture against Sunderland on April 12. Reports suggest he has signed a five-year deal, committing him until the summer of 2031. This lengthy contract has prompted some questions from Tottenham supporters, considering De Zerbi’s past tendency not to remain in a single managerial position for more than two full seasons.
This marks De Zerbi’s second stint in the Premier League, following a successful tenure with Brighton & Hove Albion from September 2022 to June 2024. During his time with the Seagulls, he achieved a historic seventh-place finish, the club’s highest-ever league position, and secured their first-ever qualification for the Europa League. Unconfirmed reports from Italy also hint that 2006 World Cup winner Alessandro Nesta might join his coaching staff at Tottenham.
De Zerbi’s Vision for Tottenham
Expressing his delight, De Zerbi stated, “I am delighted to be joining this fantastic football club, which is one of the biggest and most prestigious in the world.” He emphasized that discussions with the club’s leadership revealed a clear ambition: “to build a team capable of reaching great achievements, and to do that playing a style of football that excites and inspires our supporters.” De Zerbi affirmed his belief in this vision and his commitment to a long-term project. He outlined his short-term focus, stating, “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.”
Sporting Director Johan Lange commented on the appointment, revealing, “Roberto was our number one target for the summer and we are very pleased to be able to bring him in now.” Lange praised De Zerbi as “one of the most creative and forward-thinking coaches in world football,” highlighting his extensive experience at the highest level, including in the Premier League.