Tottenham are in advanced talks with Roberto De Zerbi to become their manager and with seven games remaining and the team one point above the drop relegation is a real possibility
Chris Waddle fears that hiring Roberto De Zerbi won't stop Tottenham from being relegated from the Premier League. Spurs are in advanced talks with the former Marseille and Brighton manager after parting company with Igor Tudor, but Waddle thinks the horse has already bolted.
Tudor lasted just 44 days in charge of the crisis-hit club and left by mutual consent having failed to win a league match. Tottenham sit 17th in the Premier League, just one point above the relegation zone, and time is of the essence.
Chief executive Vinai Venkatesham and sporting director Johan Lange have turned to De Zerbi to steady the ship. The Italian was sacked by Marseille in February and is open to taking on the challenge of turning around a team that is winless in 13 league games, stretching back into 2025.
Tudor claimed just one point during his time in charge, from a 1-1 draw against Liverpool at Anfield, while his only win came against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, and wasn't enough to overturn a first-leg deficit. Former Spurs winger Waddle fears that De Zerbi may be faced with a losing battle.
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"I don’t think a new manager at Tottenham changes a thing. The players aren’t good enough and that isn’t going to change if a new manager comes in," Waddle told 10bet. "I’m looking at the squad, looking at individuals that don’t look like they’ve got the stomach or the ability to pull the club out of the hole it’s in.
"I had some great years at Tottenham and have a lot of affection for the club. I have a huge amount of respect for the fans and feel for them – it’s sad to watch what has happened to the club this season.
"Look at the managers that Tottenham have had in recent years. Antonio Conte. Jose Mourinho. These are proven winners. Did anything change? It’s not about the managers; it’s about changing the culture at the top of the club.
"Tottenham have the best stadium in the country and the best training facilities. They don’t have the best players and until the board changes its recruitment policy, then the club will always struggle. They won’t ever be able to challenge at the top end of the table."
"Don’t blame the manager for Tottenham’s problems. It isn’t Igor Tudor’s fault. The people that run the club must take responsibility," Waddle added.
"Tottenham are in a fight. They’ve got seven games to save their season. The only people that can save them now are the players. Players need to roll up their sleeves. Win their individual battles. Its back-to-basics stuff.
"Am I confident they will do it? Nothing I’ve seen from this group of players convinces me that Tottenham will be playing Premier League football next season."