Following the dismissal of Thomas Frank at Tottenham Hotspur F.C. in February, there was widespread discussion about the club’s ambitious leadership. It quickly became clear that Roberto De Zerbi—who had previously left Olympique de Marseille—was the leading candidate.
However, for reasons that remain unclear, Spurs opted for a temporary solution by appointing Igor Tudor, while De Zerbi continued to be viewed as a secure long-term option for the summer.
Tottenham’s third manager of the season.
As a result, Tottenham are set to appoint their third manager of the season, with the Italian coach De Zerbi returning to the Premier League. Tudor and Tottenham mutually agreed to part ways after a spell that failed to deliver meaningful progress for either side.
In hindsight, the decision to pursue a temporary solution appears unnecessary, given that De Zerbi had already been identified as the primary target.
De Zerbi is one of the prominent Italian coaches—similar in profile to Enzo Maresca—who emphasises tactical discipline, structure, and progressive football in lines. He demands total control, and he is very tough for those who don’t respect him. His ways and ideas are regarded as those of a hard person to work with who builds everything around his character.
He is one of the most talented modern Italian managers, known for his strong character and clear tactical identity. His previous experience in the Premier League came with Brighton & Hove Albion F.C., where he made a significant impact before departing in 2024.
Tottenham has chosen him. They want him as a manager!
In terms of managerial profile, he shares certain traits with Antonio Conte—a strong personality, clear demands, and deep commitment to his footballing project.
The issue arose when Frank departed. It seemed evident that Spurs wanted De Zerbi, who had recently left Marseille and was expected to take over in the summer. However, the club instead moved for an interim solution, which ultimately proved to be a waste of time and resources. Now, De Zerbi is expected to step in immediately and take charge of the dressing room—arguably the ideal scenario for Tottenham.
The key question is: Is this the right move for Tottenham? Could they still face relegation?
Tottenham are currently on a 12-match winless run in the Premier League. However, their remaining schedule suggests that even three wins could be enough to secure survival by the end of the season.
One notable difference lies in De Zerbi’s approach. Unlike Tudor, who relied heavily on individual talent, De Zerbi focuses more on building collective structure, synergy between lines, and a distinct playing identity.
Tottenham’s main rivals in the relegation battle include Nottingham Forest F.C.—a team with strong quality but competing on multiple fronts—along with West Ham United F.C., who have underperformed throughout the season, and Leeds United F.C., who are currently struggling and have looked particularly poor over the past five weeks.
In this competitive context, could Tottenham still go down?
We believe they will not.
De Zerbi is expected to sign a five-year deal at Tottenham, marking the beginning of a new long-term project.
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