Tottenham announce Roberto De Zerbi's arrival on five year contract
Roberto De Zerbi found himself available for a new role after departing Marseille through mutual agreement in February. Tottenham acted fast following the dismissal of their temporary manager Igor Tudor on Sunday, after he had managed only seven fixtures across 44 days.
The club from north London finds itself merely one point clear of the drop zone, with seven fixtures remaining. They have yet to claim a Premier League victory in 2026.
I am delighted to be joining this fantastic football club, which is one of the biggest and most prestigious in the world, De Zerbi commented.
In all my discussions with the Clubs 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. Im looking forward to getting out on the training pitch and working with these players to achieve that.
De Zerbi earned widespread respect in England over his two seasons leading Brighton from 2022 until 2024.
He took the Seagulls into European competition for the first time ever, alongside reaching the FA Cup semi finals in 2023.
His time at Marseille was brief, yet the 46 year old achieved a runners up spot in Ligue 1 during his single complete campaign there.
The Italian is back in England with Tottenham, securing a long term deal.
Spurs have avoided the lower tiers of English football since the 1977 78 season.
Even with a modern 63000 seat stadium, advanced training facilities, and earnings placing them among the worlds top 10 wealthiest clubs, they face a real threat of dropping into the Championship in embarrassing fashion.
Not long ago, under ex boss Mauricio Pochettino, they were frequent Champions League participants, even making the final in 2019.
Under Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham broke a 17 year wait for silverware by lifting the Europa League trophy last term.
However, survival concerns emerged as Postecoglou lost his job despite that Europa League triumph against Manchester United, after the team ended up 17th in the Premier League.
Thomas Frank stepped in as the Australian managers replacement, but the Danish coach was removed in February following just two victories in 17 league outings.