Tottenham Hotspur has appointed Roberto De Zerbi as their new manager after a winless start to 2026. This decision follows the sacking of Igor Tudor just two days prior, who was in charge for only a month.
Tudor was brought in to steady the team after Thomas Frank’s departure, but the results didn’t meet expectations.
Currently sitting in 17th place, Tottenham is close to relegation, making the decision to hire free agent Roberto De Zerbi timely. Unlike many interim appointments, De Zerbi has signed a 5-year contract, which will keep him with the club until 2031.
According to La Gazzetta Dello Sport, there is a clause in his contract that grants him significant power within the club.
In recent seasons, many clubs have shifted to hiring head coaches rather than traditional managers. Head coaches mainly focus on game preparation and tactics, while managers usually have more influence over squad building and long-term strategies.
However, at Spurs, De Zerbi’s role will resemble that of a traditional manager, akin to Sir Alex Ferguson, a legendary figure in Premier League history.
Initially, De Zerbi turned down the offer, but the additional power and influence offered played a key role in his decision to accept the position.