Roberto De Zerbi has pledged his commitment to Tottenham Hotspur for long-term regardless of their Premier League status at the end of the season.
The Italian was appointed as Spurs’ new head coach earlier this week on a five-year deal, replacing Igor Tudor who endured a disastrous spell in charge of the club after picking up just a single point from five league matches.
This has left the club in 17th position on the Premier League standings, one point above the drop zone with just seven games left to save their season.
De Zerbi is now tasked with leading the club to survival this season and the former Marseille manager has dismissed news of a clause that permits him to leave if the club relegates at the end of the season.
“I signed five years of (a) contract because for me it is a big challenge,” De Zerbi stated.
“I will be the coach of Tottenham next season no matter what.”
De Zerbi made a name for himself at Brighton and Hove Albion, enjoying two years of improved performances between 2022 and 2024.
The Italian also led Marseille to a second place finish in Ligue 1 last season and also a return to the UEFA Champions League.
However, he faces a totally different task at Spurs, who are without a win in the Premier League so far in 2026 and have also lost six of their last seven in the league, including a dismal 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in their last match before the international break.
“Tottenham, especially in this moment, is maybe the most important challenge in my career. I’m ready to start this challenge”, De Zerbi concluded.
The 46-year-old will take charge of the club for the first time next weekend, when they travel to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland, hoping for a win to boost their survival chances.
Olakitan is a young writer with a strong passion for sports, having gained experience with IndyPress and Nimelssa Press. His enthusiasm for sports inspired him to cover events both within his school and beyond. With a deep understanding of the game and a refined skillset, he brings sports coverage to a broad, global audience in a way that’s engaging and accessible.
