Roberto De Zerbi had spent weeks telling anyone who asked that he preferred to wait until summer before returning to management. A lucrative five-year contract offer from Tottenham appears to have changed his mind.
Fabrizio Romano confirmed on Monday evening that De Zerbi is “really, really, really close” to becoming the new Spurs head coach, with a “here we go” expected imminently after days of intensive talks between the Italian and club chairman Daniel Levy.
The financial package reportedly on the table is significant enough to explain the U-turn. De Zerbi would become the third highest-paid manager in the Premier League behind only Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta, earning more than Liverpool currently pay Arne Slot.
A survival bonus has been built into the contract, giving De Zerbi a powerful additional incentive to keep Spurs in the top flight across the seven remaining matches of this season, starting with the trip to Sunderland on April 12.
Romano outlined the full picture: “Tottenham decided to go all in for De Zerbi with a BIG financial proposal. He is free. His attitude is really appreciated by Tottenham. Quality when it’s about the tactical aspect of the game, also the connection with players has always been very good.”
The reservation among some supporters centres on De Zerbi’s record in taking over mid-season at Brighton in 2022, where he failed to win any of his first five league games after replacing Graham Potter. Tactically rigid managers historically struggle to adapt at speed in relegation battles.
Spurs correspondent Alasdair Gold wrote that “the feeling within Spurs is they’re closing in on their man,” adding that the Italian’s possession-based philosophy is seen as a “high risk, high reward” match for the club’s identity.
Mauricio Pochettino — who took Spurs to a Champions League final in 2019 and remains deeply loved by the support — would have been the sentimental choice, but his commitments with the US national team ahead of a home World Cup make any immediate move logistically impossible.
Three Spurs fan groups have formally objected to De Zerbi’s appointment citing his public support of former Manchester United winger Mason Greenwood during the Italian’s time at Marseille. The backlash has not slowed negotiations.
Whether De Zerbi can actually turn Spurs’ season around in seven matches — from one point above the drop zone without a league win in 2026 — is the question that makes this an appointment unlike almost any other he has taken in his career.
