Roberto De Zerbi reveals why he agreed to join Tottenham despite club’s ongoing relegation threat

Tottenham Hotspur confirmed the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi on a five-year deal last week, following the dismissal of Igor Tudor.

The Italian coach had originally planned to delay any decision about his future until the summer.

However, Spurs’ lucrative offer—making him one of the highest-paid managers in the Premier League—proved too tempting to ignore, ultimately convincing him to take charge immediately in north London.

At 46, De Zerbi now faces the urgent task of stabilising a struggling side at Hotspur Way.

With Tottenham locked in a relegation battle, he is eager to make an instant impact, starting with their upcoming clash against Sunderland.

Avoiding the drop has become the club’s top priority, and De Zerbi is fully aware of the magnitude of the challenge ahead.

Despite the excitement around his arrival, some Spurs supporters remain uneasy due to his past comments regarding Mason Greenwood.

Questions have been raised about whether his views align with the club’s values. De Zerbi has since addressed the issue, offering an apology and acknowledging that he has learned from the situation while aiming to move forward positively.

Even amid a difficult campaign, Tottenham remain one of the Premier League’s most prominent clubs, and that stature played a key role in the decision to hand De Zerbi a long-term contract.

The club’s immediate focus is survival, but the broader ambition is to rebuild and return to competing at the top level in the near future.
For De Zerbi, the opportunity was simply too significant to reject.

He described managing Tottenham as a major career step, highlighting both the club’s stature and the quality within the squad. While acknowledging the current struggles, he views the role as a chance to prove himself and guide the team back on track.

With just seven league matches remaining, his immediate mission is clear: steer Spurs away from relegation danger.

A positive turnaround, beginning with the Sunderland fixture, will be crucial before attention can shift toward long-term progress and closing the gap on their rivals.