adminAll attention turns to the Stadium of Light on Sunday afternoon as Roberto De Zerbi prepares to oversee his first match in charge of Tottenham Hotspur against Sunderland.
De Zerbi has replaced Igor Tudor after a disappointing run of just one win in seven matches across all competitions.
Club officials opted for a managerial change during the March international break, bringing an end to Tudor’s tenure following a 3–0 home defeat to relegation rivals Nottingham Forest.
The Italian was initially hesitant about taking over at Spurs due to their precarious Premier League situation. However, he eventually accepted the challenge, signing a lucrative five-year contract that does not include a relegation clause.
With only seven games remaining in the season, he now faces the difficult task of steering the club away from danger while dealing with a squad missing several key players.
Spurs head into the clash sitting 17th in the Premier League table, just a point above the relegation zone, making the trip to Wearside a crucial early test of De Zerbi’s reign.
Speaking in his first press conference as Tottenham boss, De Zerbi expressed confidence in his squad when asked about the relegation battle, saying (h/t Football London):
“Yes, yes. I knew before to work with them. I understood that they are good guys. The fans have to be happy, because all players are good guys. They are suffering from this difficult situation. I want to see (what they are like) in the game, because during the week it’s easier.
“But I think the voice inside the pitch has changed. I observed them at the beginning of my time last week, and now I’m more positive for sure.”
It has been over four months since Spurs last claimed a Premier League win, with their previous victory coming against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on the final day of 2025. Since then, results have badly dipped, but there is hope that De Zerbi’s arrival can spark a turnaround.
The Italian brings renewed energy and optimism to North London and has had just over 10 days on the training ground to work with his new squad. His immediate focus will be on simplifying tactics and restoring confidence to a team under severe pressure.
It is an early test of his managerial ability, particularly given he has not previously been involved in a relegation battle. However, De Zerbi now has a point to prove — and starting his Tottenham reign with a win at Sunderland would be the perfect statement.
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