Italian is brought in to replace interim coach Igor Tudor
De Zerbi is tasked with saving club from relegation
Tottenham have confirmed the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi as their new manager. The London club have given him a long-term contract but all eyes are on the remainder of this season when he has been charged with keeping them in the Premier League. Spurs are one point and one place above the relegation zone with seven matches to play – the next of which is at Sunderland on Sunday week.
Spurs knew they had to part ways with their interim manager, Igor Tudor, after the home loss to Nottingham Forest on the Sunday before last, although the situation came to be coloured by personal tragedy. Tudor learned of the death of his father, Mario, after the Forest game and Spurs had to show sensitivity as he began to grieve. The club waited until Sunday before announcing his departure by mutual consent.
Tudor took one point from his five leagues matches after stepping in to replace Thomas Frank on 14 February. Spurs had started to explore contingencies for Tudor’s departure after his team slumped to a miserable home defeat against Crystal Palace on 5 March and, at that point, De Zerbi was adamant he would not return to management until the summer, having left Marseille on 11 February. He needed a break after a turbulent spell at the French club.
