Roberto De Zerbi has been confirmed as Tottenham Hotspur’s new manager.
The Italian has signed a five-year deal with the north London side, the club have announced.
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De Zerbi becomes Spurs’ third manager of the season after replacing Igor Tudor in the dugout.
Thomas Frank had started the season in charge before being sacked in February after just seven months as manager.
His replacement Tudor lasted just seven matches before leaving the club.
Tudor’s replacement doesn’t come cheap with De Zerbi to become the third highest paid manager in the Premier League behind Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta. Arteta is the highest paid on a £15million-a-year contract.
eSPORTY understands De Zerbi’s contract does not have a relegation clause, meaning will not be able to simply walk away from the club should they go down to the Championship.
However, De Zerbi and the club could still come to a mutual agreement for him to leave should he want to.
It’s understood that he would effectively have to buy himself out of his contract at the club if he wants to leave.
Without a break clause, there’s nothing in writing that will allow him to exit if they are relegated from the Premier League.
For Spurs, they view the fact De Zerbi has signed without a clause as an indication of his commitment to the club.
De Zerbi and Spurs reaction
“I am delighted to be joining this fantastic football club, which is one of the biggest and most prestigious in the world,” De Zerbi said.
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“In all my discussions with the club’s 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. I’m looking forward to getting out on the training pitch and working with these players to achieve that.”
“Roberto was our number one target for the summer and we are very pleased to be able to bring him in now,” Spurs sporting director Johan Lange.
“He is one of the most creative and forward-thinking coaches in world football, and brings with him a wealth of experience at the highest level, including in the Premier League.”
Third time lucky
Spurs finally land De Zerbi having previously tried to hire him on two occasions.
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Spurs were interested in bringing him in as Ange Postecoglou’s replacement but De Zerbi rejected their former chairman Daniel Levy’s advances.
The north London side duly appointed Thomas Frank and tried to bring in De Zerbi after the Dane’s sacking in February but it was too soon after the Italian left Marseille.
First choice
eSPORTY understands several members of the Lewis family favoured De Zerbi over former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino due to a fear a return to Pochettino would be popular but not change direction of club from Levy.
Meanwhile, De Zerbi’s ability to input to the process for a new co-sporting director is understood to have been part of the appeal.
De Zerbi rejected Spurs under Levy and former sporting director Fabio Paratici because he felt their control over the club wouldn’t suit his style.
But younger members of the Lewis family are prepared to give De Zerbi more autonomy with significant changes to the leadership/model at the club still possible.
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Fans hit out
The appointment of De Zerbi has sparked controversy among some fans due to comments the Italian made about Mason Greenwood, who he coached at Marseille.
On Sunday, Spurs supporters group Women of the Lane urged Spurs not to appoint De Zerbi.
A statement read: “There is growing speculation linking Spurs with Roberto De Zerbi. We want to be clear about how this is landing with many women and allies in our community.
“De Zerbi has publicly defended Mason Greenwood in a way that downplays the seriousness of male violence against women and girls.
“That raises serious questions about judgement and leadership.
“Clubs signal their values through the decisions they make. Who they appoint matters. The manager sets the tone, every day, for what is expected, what is tolerated, and how people are treated.
“At a time when Spurs needs to rebuild, that culture matters as much as anything on the pitch.
“For many in our community, this is difficult to reconcile with the club’s stated commitments to respect, safety and inclusion.
“This is not an appointment Tottenham Hotspur should make. It introduces unnecessary cultural risk without a clear, proven track record to justify it.
“No to De Zerbi.”
De Zerbi’s first match in charge of Spurs sees them take on Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Sunday April 11.
His first home game comes the following Saturday against former club Brighton.
Spurs are currently 17th in the Premier League table, a point above West Ham in the relegation zone.
