Roberto De Zerbi is the new Tottenham Hotspur head coach. The club confirmed the appointment on Tuesday afternoon, ending a week of intense negotiations that almost did not happen.
De Zerbi had repeatedly told Spurs he would not take the role before the summer, but a five-year contract offer and a substantial bonus for Premier League survival changed his mind. Fabrizio Romano confirmed the deal before the official announcement, with De Zerbi accepting with immediate effect.
"I am delighted to be joining this fantastic football club," De Zerbi said. "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."
Sporting director Johan Lange added: "Roberto was our number one target for the summer, and we are very pleased to bring him in now. He is one of the most creative and forward-thinking coaches in world football."
De Zerbi takes over with Spurs sitting 17th, one point above the drop zone with seven games left. He has 12 days before the first match, away at Sunderland on April 12. Notably, no relegation release clause was included in the deal, meaning he is committed to the project even if the club goes down.
The appointment has not been without controversy. Four Tottenham supporter groups have opposed De Zerbi over comments he made about Mason Greenwood while at Marseille, calling his remarks "unnecessary, ill-judged and deeply offensive." The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Trust issued a formal statement urging the club to reaffirm its values. De Zerbi is expected to be in the dugout at the Stadium of Light.
