Roberto De Zerbi appears set to become Tottenham Hotspur’s next head coach on a reported five-year deal, stepping in after Igor Tudor’s chaotic short spell as Spurs fight to avoid a rare relegation scare; the appointment would be the club’s fourth managerial change in ten months and reverses De Zerbi’s earlier plan to postpone decisions until the summer.
De Zerbi poised to take Spurs job as club chases stability
Roberto De Zerbi has emerged as Tottenham Hotspur’s preferred candidate to replace Igor Tudor, with talks said to be advanced and a five-year contract on the table. The 46-year-old — who had indicated he might wait until the summer before deciding his next move — now looks ready to take immediate charge, a volte-face that reflects both Tottenham’s urgency and the scarcity of viable alternatives.
Why this matters now
Tottenham are in a precarious position, facing the realistic threat of relegation for the first time since 1977 after a run of poor results. Bringing in De Zerbi would be a clear signal that the board wants a long-term project quickly implemented rather than a caretaker solution. If confirmed, De Zerbi would be Spurs’ fourth head coach in ten months, underlining institutional instability that the new coach must address immediately.
What led to this moment: Tudor’s brief, troubled reign
Igor Tudor’s 44-day spell as head coach produced five defeats in seven matches and prompted questions about tactical choices and man-management. His departure left Tottenham scrambling for a solution with just days to prepare for upcoming fixtures, prompting first-team coach Bruno Saltor to oversee training for players not on international duty.
Timing and immediate priorities
Tottenham reportedly want a new head coach in place by midweek to give roughly ten days’ preparation ahead of the April 12 trip to Sunderland. That narrow window turns selection from a strategic choice into a tactical necessity: the incoming coach must rapidly assess a squad low on confidence, prioritise clear game plans and stabilise results.
De Zerbi’s profile and fit at Spurs
De Zerbi’s managerial reputation is built on progressive, possession-oriented football and an eye for structure. Those traits could offer Spurs the identity they have lacked amid repeated changes at the top. Yet his appointment will not be universally embraced — success will hinge on adapting his methods to a squad underperforming and managing high-pressure expectations from fans and hierarchy alike.
How De Zerbi could impact the squad
Tactically, De Zerbi tends to favor proactive pressing and ball circulation that demands technical buy-in and tactical discipline. If Spurs commit to a clear recruitment and training plan aligned with that philosophy, De Zerbi could rebuild momentum. Conversely, without time or institutional patience, the stylistic reset may struggle to translate into immediate points.
Fan reaction and the Greenwood controversy
The expected appointment has met resistance from parts of the fanbase. Supporters groups Proud Lilywhites, Women of the Lane and Spurs Reach publicly opposed hiring De Zerbi, citing comments he made in November while at Marseille about Mason Greenwood. De Zerbi described Greenwood as a “good guy” and expressed sympathy for what the forward had experienced — remarks that some supporters found unacceptable given the sensitivity of Greenwood’s past legal circumstances.
Context on Greenwood
Mason Greenwood was charged in October 2022 with multiple offences; the Crown Prosecution Service dropped those charges in February 2023, citing withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that removed a realistic prospect of conviction. Greenwood later resumed his career and joined Marseille in 2024. The Greenwood issue complicates De Zerbi’s reception among fans and adds a reputational element the club will need to manage carefully.
Wider implications and what comes next
Appointing De Zerbi is a high-stakes decision for Tottenham’s board: it signals a preference for a defined footballing philosophy over short-term fixes, but it also commits the club to a manager who must produce immediate improvement. With international call-ups disrupting preparation and Mauricio Pochettino publicly focused on his commitments to the United States national team, Spurs have little margin for error in their choice.
Short-term outlook
The immediate bar is simple — stabilise results and shore up confidence ahead of the Sunderland trip.
Medium-term, De Zerbi will be judged on whether he can create coherence across recruitment, tactics and youth integration at a club that has cycled through managers this season.
Mauricio Pochettino does not have a contract with U.S. Soccer after the 2026 FIFA World Cup
For Spurs, this appointment could either start a necessary reset or deepen the sense of upheaval that has defined their campaign.
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