Tottenham Hotspur look set to add a new dimension to the Premier League relegation battle by appointing Roberto De Zerbi – and now West Ham’s owners have delivered their reaction.
West Ham are just a point and a place below bitter rivals Tottenham in the fight for Premier League survival.
With seven games to go, every big decision matters with the Hammers and Spurs battling one another – as well as Leeds and Forest – for survival.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s West Ham side have been transformed since the turn of the year, closing a 12-point gap on Spurs to just one.
West Ham owners ‘hopeful’ but clearly concerned about Spurs appointing De Zerbi
And the Hammers will climb out of the bottom three, and push Tottenham into it, if they beat Wolves at home a week on Friday.
There is no love lost between West Ham and Spurs at the best of times – but the stakes have never been higher than they are right now.
How worried should we be about De Zerbi joining Tottenham? 😟
That’s why there is so much interest at the London Stadium when it comes to Tottenham appointing Roberto De Zerbi to replace the hapless Igor Tudor for the run-in.
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Now West Ham’s owners have reacted to relegation rivals Spurs appointing De Zerbi – admitting they are ‘hopeful’ it goes a certain way.
De Zerbi’s appointment has divided opinion across the board and even among Hammers fans.
Some feel the combustible, strong-willed and fiery Italian could be akin to pouring more fuel on the Spurs flames in north London, which would obviously be good news for the Irons.
Others believe those characteristics – and his demanding nature – will spark a response that could keep Tottenham up – very possibly at West Ham’s expense.
Given the two old rivals are in a direct battle to avoid demotion to the Championship, Hammers News put it to West Ham’s board whether they were worried by Spurs hiring De Zerbi.
The top spokesman for West Ham’s owners exclusively told Hammers News that they can only hope it goes one of two ways for Tottenham.
West Ham owners: Let’s hope De Zerbi needs time at Spurs
“Some managers hit the ground running,” the most senior spokesman for West Ham’s owners exclusively told Hammers News.
“Others do need time, though.
“Let’s HOPE he (De Zerbi) needs time!”
This team stays up ahead of Spurs 😎
Only debate is Dinos or Todibo….
It’s clear to see West Ham’s board have concerns about the potential uplift the appointment will have for Tottenham.
Whether De Zerbi can make an instant impact in a relegation scenario has been at the heart of most debates.
That’s why a club president’s claim on new Spurs boss De Zerbi raises concern for West Ham with the last man to employ the ex Brighton boss lavishing him with praise.
Another worrying factor for West Ham is the fact De Zerbi will get a whopping £10m bonus if he keeps Tottenham up.
Both clubs have difficult fixtures in their last seven, with West Ham’s a touch tougher than Tottenham’s – on paper at least.
De Zerbi is in line to be in charge for the trip to Sunderland after the international break and he will be starting life in the Tottenham hotseat in the relegation zone if West Ham do the business against Wolves two days before.
Relegation run-in remaining fixtures: