Roberto De Zerbi is set to take on the sizeable task of keeping Tottenham in the Premier League after agreeing a deal to move to North London.
De Zerbi joins Tottenham in five-year deal
Spurs turned attention back to De Zerbi after Igor Tudor’s departure on Sunday and, although the former Brighton boss initially preferred to wait until the summer to assess his options, he has performed a U-turn and will take over immediately.
Tottenham had the chance to wait and hire Mauricio Pochettino, who is "keen" to take over, but only after his World Cup campaign with the USA has concluded, forcing the club's hand to focus on the recently departed Marseille manager.
Reports in De Zerbi’s homeland of Italy on Monday morning stated he was now willing to listen to Tottenham’s advances and had a five-year contract offer on the table, with the 46-year-old now confirmed as the club’s fourth head coach in the last ten months.
Tudor’s shambolic 44-day reign produced five defeats in seven matches alongside a catalogue of questionable tactical choices and only increased the realistic threat of a first relegation since 1977.
Journalist Darren Lewis ripped into the decision to hire De Zerbi on Tuesday, telling talkSPORT there isn't a "single thing" that justifies the decision.
"I don't think there is a single thing about De Zerbi's body of work that suggests that at this time you give him a five-year deal.
"I think he, to be fair to him, may well have played a blinder, because they wanted him to come now, he didn't want to come now, he wanted to come at the end of the season, but they don't know where they'll be come the end of the season.
"So he's said 'I'll come if you give me five years'."
The Italian has not only demanded a lengthy deal however, also giving Tottenham a list of demands that includes a survival bonus at the end of this season and a hefty transfer budget.
Tottenham make Mason Greenwood decision
Indeed, Football FanCast sources understand the incoming boss will be in line for a large bonus payment on top of his original deal if Spurs stay up.
He has also demanded significant backing in the summer transfer window, and wants to sign a new goalkeeper and a ball-playing centre-back as top priorities.
Mason Greenwood will not be amongst his targets, with a club source clear they have no interest in the former Manchester United striker and will continue with that stance regardless of his impressive form at Marseille, where he has scored 20 times in all competitions this season.
The Lilywhites leadership is however happy to work with the manager to reshape the squad in his image, with this summer set to focus on recognised first-team additions rather than additional depth, with survival likely to stave off a mass exodus.
The decision to hand the Italian such a lengthy contract and cave to his demands is certainly a risk, but if he keeps Spurs in the Premier League he could pay that back ten fold.