Roberto de Zerbi has been appointed as Tottenham Hotspur’s new head coach, becoming Spurs’ third manager in a difficult season following the departures of Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor.

The 46-year-old has agreed a five-year contract with the north London club, which reportedly does not include a relegation clause.

“I am delighted to be joining this great football club, the biggest and most prestigious in the world,” the Italian said on the club’s official website.

“In all our discussions with the club’s leadership, their ambitions for the future have been clear: to build a team capable of achieving great things and to deliver 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 do everything in my power to realize it.

“I’m looking forward to getting out on the training pitch and working with these players to achieve their goals.”

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De Zerbi becomes Tottenham’s third manager of the season, brought in with the aim of steering Spurs away from relegation in the Premier League.

Igor Tudor was appointed as interim manager by Thomas Frank in February, but his reign lasted just 44 days before he was sacked on Sunday after just one draw in five Premier League games.

Curiously, on February 11, the same day that Frank was sacked at Spurs, De Zerbi resigned as Marseille manager by mutual consent.

The former Brighton manager took over as Ligue 1 manager in the summer of 2024 and led the French team to runners-up in his first year in charge.

However, his reign ended in disappointment as they lost 3-0 to Club Brugge and were forced out of the Champions League, while domestically they suffered a heavy 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, leaving them in fourth place, 12 points behind the defending champions.

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Tottenham currently sit in 17th place, one point out of the drop zone with seven games in hand.

Bruno Sartor will remain in Tottenham’s coaching team and work alongside De Zerbi.

The club’s next game is at Sunderland on April 12th, followed by a home game against Brighton on April 18th before a trip to Wolves on April 25th.

Tottenham sporting director Johan Lange said: “Roberto was our number one target this summer so we’re really happy to be able to bring him in now.”

“He is one of the most creative and forward-thinking leaders in world football and brings a wealth of experience at the highest levels, including the Premier League.”

More to come.

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