Roberto De Zerbi appointed as Tottenham’s new manager
Tottenham have reached an agreement with Roberto De Zerbi as their new manager following the dismissal of interim coach Igor Tudor, reports BritPanorama.
The 44-year-old Italian, who previously managed Brighton & Hove Albion, emerged as Spurs’ preferred candidate following discussions earlier this month. Final details are yet to be resolved, with the announcement expected in the coming hours.
Spurs currently sit just a single point clear of the relegation zone with only seven matches left to play this season. The club has failed to secure a victory in their last 13 Premier League fixtures, a run that has plunged them into a survival battle.
Igor Tudor was appointed in February following the decision to axe Thomas Frank, who had experienced a nightmare stint in the dugout. Tudor’s brief spell in charge proved catastrophic, lasting merely 44 days before his departure.
De Zerbi has previously expressed a desire to return to English football since being sacked by Marseille earlier this year, and he has always been receptive to the idea of managing Tottenham. Negotiations between the club and the new manager were ongoing throughout the night, with the club’s statement set to confirm that both parties had reached an agreement.
However, the appointment has already sparked controversy among sections of the Tottenham faithful. Four supporter groups have opposed De Zerbi’s candidacy, citing remarks he made about Mason Greenwood while managing in France. In November, the Italian described the former Manchester United forward as a “good guy” and suggested he had paid a “heavy price” following his arrest nearly four years earlier on suspicion of rape and assault.
Greater Manchester Police subsequently dropped all charges against the player. De Zerbi declined to criticise Greenwood during his time at Marseille, a stance that has drawn the ire of Spurs supporters ahead of any potential appointment. Now in the Tottenham dugout, the Italian has 12 days until Spurs’ next Premier League fixture, with the North London side set to travel to Sunderland on Sunday, April 12.
In the heated arena of managerial appointments, De Zerbi’s arrival serves as a stark reminder that with every change comes both fresh hope and the weight of expectation, sure to rattle the cages of expectation at Spurs. How he navigates this turbulent chapter will be closely observed by fans and critics alike.
