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Tottenham Hotspur appointed Roberto De Zerbi as their new manager on a five-year contract on Tuesday, but the news will have left one 'world-class' manager disappointed, according to Football London correspondent Alasdair Gold.

A week ago, it appeared doubtful that Tottenham would be able to convince their number one manager target - both now and in the summer - to join now, with the club embroiled in a relegation battle and with just seven matches of the season left to play.

The Italian had made it clear in initial discussions that he had no interest in joining until the summer, but Spurs chiefs worked on an agreement that meant he couldn't afford to turn down taking over immediately to replace Igor Tudor.

Tottenham have handed De Zerbi a long-term deal and made him the third best-paid manager in the Premier League, as they look to start a long project together.

The 46-year-old will begin his reign against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on April 12th, as he looks to lead Spurs away from the drop zone.

Gold. Pochettino Wanted Tottenham Job This Summer

According to Gold, posting on X in the hours after the De Zerbi agreement was initially reached, Pochettino was keen on a summer reunion with Tottenham.

GIVEMESPORT sources revealed after Tudor's exit that De Zerbi was Spurs' number one target now and for the summer, with the club also keen to appoint him before the appointments of Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor in the last 12 months.

The arrival of De Zerbi is seen as a huge coup for Tottenham, given what some of his managerial peers have said about him in recent years.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot labelled him as 'one of the best managers in the world' ahead of his side's Champions League clash with Marseille in January, while Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola previously called him 'one of the most influential managers of the last 20 years'.

Why Did Tottenham Pick De Zerbi Over Pochettino?

The consensus seems to be that Pochettino would have been the preferred candidate for Tottenham supporters, given the love they have for the Argentine from his previous five years in charge of the club.

They made their feelings clear about the 'world-class' manager as they chanted his name during Frank's final game in charge against Newcastle, doing the same at times during Tudor's short reign too.

But while Gold confirms that, in an ideal world, Tottenham would have waited until the summer to take advantage of a wider managerial market, they simply had no choice but to try and land their top target now.

The advantage of De Zerbi was that he was available now, whereas the same couldn't be said of Pochettino, who won't be available until after the USA's 2026 World Cup campaign comes to an end.

Tottenham will hope that the decision to go with De Zerbi pays off and that the Italian can keep them in the Premier League in the remaining seven matches.

New Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has told the club he wants to sign Juventus captain Manuel Locatelli on one condition, according to Calciomercato.

De Zerbi was named as Tottenham's new manager on a five-year deal on Tuesday, with the Italian convinced to join Spurs ahead of the summer despite that being his initial preference.

The length of contract and the fact that the north Londoners made their number one target one of the best-paid managers in the Premier League, only behind Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola, probably helped, but is a show of commitment from both parties to the project ahead.

The first part of that project is ensuring Tottenham remain in the Premier League, with relegation a genuine possibility with seven matches of the season left to play.

Spurs currently lie one point above the drop zone ahead of De Zerbi's first match in charge against Sunderland on Wearside a week on Sunday, but they could be in the bottom three by the time they kick off if West Ham United beat Wolverhampton Wanderers at the London Stadium on April 10.

De Zerbi Requests Locatelli Signing in ENIC Meeting

According to Calciomercato, De Zerbi has added Locatelli to his summer transfer wishlist as he looks to rebuild a Tottenham team who has struggled in the Premier League for two successive seasons.

In his initial meetings with ENIC, the Italian named potential transfer targets for next season and named the Juve captain as a player he'd like to bring to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Of course, any potential deal will likely depend on Spurs preserving their Premier League status, with a transfer for Locatelli extremely unlikely should the club drop into England's second tier.

The report adds that Locatelli's exit from Juve this summer shouldn't be ruled out, as the Old Lady could capitalise on his value being at its best ahead of his contract expiring in two years' time.

Manuel Locatelli Would Bring Two Key Qualities

Firstly, Locatelli has proven his quality during his career and as well as making over 300 appearances in Serie A with the likes of Juve and AC Milan, he also has extensive experience playing in the Champions League too.

The 28-year-old has been described as 'one of the best defensive midfielders in Europe' by Breaking the Lines, and he rarely misses a game having been one of the first names on the team-sheet for Luciano Spalletti at the Allianz Stadium.

The other attraction of Locatelli is his leadership, given he is captain of one of the biggest clubs on the continent.

That quality is something that has been severely lacking at Tottenham this season, and adding another leader to a squad that has struggled with confidence and reaction to adversity would be the perfect tonic.

Should De Zerbi keep Spurs in the Premier League, then a move for Locatelli will surely be one to watch.

Tottenham Hotspur could be set for their first major player exit of the Roberto De Zerbi era as goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario moves another step closer to the exit door.

Tottenham announced on Tuesday afternoon that they had got their top manager target, with De Zerbi joining on a five-year contract, which includes no relegation release clause, according to GIVEMESPORT sources.

Spurs' offer of giving the Italian a long-term contract combined with making him the third best-paid Premier League manager, GMS understands, has seen him perform U-turns on not wanting to take the job until the summer or managing the club in the Championship.

The 46-year-old's full focus will now be on ensuring the latter point isn't an issue, as he looks to lead the north Londoners to safety in the remaining seven top flight matches of the campaign.

Tottenham could be in the drop zone by the time they next kick off against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on April 12, with the team directly below them, West Ham United, playing two days earlier against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the London Stadium.

Vicario 'Will Sign Inter Milan Contract'

According to L'Interista, Vicario has agreed personal terms on a €3.5m-per-season contract to move to the San Siro with Inter Milan.

With the Italy international already saying yes to a return to his homeland following a previous spell in Serie A with Empoli, Inter must now agree a fee with Tottenham for the 29-year-old's services.

The fee is expected to be around €20m (£17.5m), although the report adds that it could drop should Spurs find themselves in the Championship at the end of the season.

Vicario is said to be honoured by Inter's interest, as he looks to go home after three years in English football.

Writing on the Wall for Vicario

The performances of Vicario have declined in recent months, and it was no surprise that he was dropped by Igor Tudor for the trip to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, albeit it was the wrong time to make the change and put in the inexperienced Antonin Kinsky, as the Croat quickly found out in the Spanish capital.

Spurs fans seem to be less and less convinced that he should be their number one on a long-term basis, with the free-kick he knocked straight out of play in the defeat to Fulham a sign of how he has been struggling.

It was reported in February that Tottenham had already decided to sell Vicario regardless of who their next permanent manager would be.

Reports in recent weeks also suggested that Vicario himself is 'determined' to leave Tottenham at the end of the season, but first he will be keen to help them stay in the Premier League having undergone recent surgery on a hernia issue.

Who Could Tottenham Target to Replace Vicario?

Tottenham have already been linked with a couple of Premier League goalkeepers in Brighton and Hove Albion's Bert Verbruggen and Manchester City's James Trafford.

Meanwhile, they are reported to be looking at Galatasaray stopper Ugurcan Cakir as part of a stunning triple summer transfer raid on the Turkish giants.

With Vicario seemingly destined for an exit, Spurs need to find a long-term number one who will suit De Zerbi's style of play as a priority.

Roberto De Zerbi has been appointed as Tottenham Hotspur's new manager on a five-year contract as the club look to avoid relegation from the Premier League. However, some of the Italian's past comments have already landed him in hot water with the fans.

Spurs supporters have grown disillusioned this season as Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor both failed to keep them out of danger. De Zerbi is a highly rated coach, having done impressive jobs at both Brighton and Marseille in recent years.

But one thing that has already led to a statement from the Tottenham Supporters' Trust is his previous praise for Mason Greenwood. They worked together in France before De Zerbi was dismissed in January.

Tottenham Fans Speak Out Against De Zerbi

The Supporters' Trust have now expressed their 'serious and far-reaching concerns' about the appointment of the 46-year-old due to his past support for Greenwood. The English forward was charged with attempted rape, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and controlling and coercive behaviour in 2022, before the case was dropped the year after.

It led to his eventual Manchester United exit, and Spurs fans aren't impressed by what their new manager said about Greenwood when they worked together at Marseille. A statement called out his 'unnecessary, ill-judged, and deeply offensive' comments:

"De Zerbi’s comments about Mason Greenwood were unnecessary, ill-judged, and deeply offensive to a significant number of supporters and, without doubt, will have left victims of male violence alarmed."

“We believe these statements, left unchecked, will create a divide among supporters at a time when we all need to be pulling together to back the team. It is concerning that the club would put us in this position right when the team needs fans the most. Fans are rallying behind the ‘All Together, Always’ initiative, and this appointment places heavy strain on that unity. If those remarks reflect his genuine views, they cast a troubling shadow over the values of the club we love."

De Zerbi Labelled Greenwood a 'Good Guy'

Before the left-footed forward even signed for the Ligue 1 outfit, De Zerbi was full of praise for his ability. Labelling the ex-Man Utd player 'world-class', the Italian coach said (per The Standard):

"Mason is a world-class player, but we have not recruited him yet. I don’t know what happened, but I am not used to get involved in my players’ private life.

“But if he comes here, you have to know that I treat all my players like my sons. I can tell them off in private, but I would never attack them in public."

More controversially, he then spoke in glowing terms about the player's character in November 2025. De Zerbi described Greenwood as a 'good guy' and revealed he was 'saddened' by the way he had been portrayed in England: "He’s a good guy, he paid a heavy price for what happened, a very heavy price.

Tottenham Hotspur are wasting no time in their bid to back Roberto De Zerbi in the summer transfer market as they line up a blockbuster triple raid on Champions League side Galatasaray.

Tottenham appointed the manager they wanted before they appointed Thomas Frank, after they sacked Frank and their first-choice after the exit of Igor Tudor and for the summer in Roberto De Zerbi on Tuesday afternoon.

It will be seen as a big coup for Spurs given the situation they are in, with a genuine possibility that they could be playing Championship football next term.

De Zerbi arrives at Hotspur Way tasked with leading a Tottenham side without a league win in 2026 away from the drop zone, with the club currently lying just one point above the bottom three ahead of the Italian's first match in charge away at Sunderland on April 12.

According to GIVEMESPORT sources, there is no relegation release clause in the Italian's contract, showing his commitment to the club even if they did drop into the Championship.

Tottenham Plot Triple Galatasaray Transfer Raid

According to a new report from Turkish Football, Tottenham are already lining up a summer move to bring Galatasaray trio Ugurcan Cakir, Baris Alper Yilmaz and Gabriel Sara to north London.

Cakir is a goalkeeper, which would make sense as rumours persist that Guglielmo Vicario could be on his way out of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer.

Yilmaz is a winger and Sara can play as a central midfielder or as a No.10, and has played in England for Norwich City previously.

The report says that Sara in particular won't come cheap, given he has enjoyed a standout season in Istanbul and has also received his first call-up to the Brazilian national team.

Tottenham could face stiff competition for a player they have been scouting extensively, including during Galatasaray's Champions League defeat to Liverpool earlier this month.

Premier League rivals Brighton are also keen on the £34m-rated South American, while Spurs see Yilmaz as someone who can add something for them in the final third after scoring 10 times and providing 14 assists in 41 appearances for Gala this term.

De Zerbi to Make Spurs Transfer Demand

It's no surprise to see Tottenham linked with new players already ahead of the summer transfer window, given they have found themselves situated just above the relegation zone in the Premier League for two successive seasons.

Wholesale changes are clearly needed if De Zerbi is to take Spurs back to where they belong during his five-year contract, and it appears as though new players will be needed to do that.

Of course, Tottenham's chances of making a splash in the transfer market could depend on their Premier League survival, as they won't be raiding teams competing in the Champions League if they are in the Championship.

What is clear is that De Zerbi will be demanding in the transfer market and given the club have convinced the 46-year-old to join now, they have clearly made transfer promises to him too.

How Would Tottenham Line Up With the Galatasaray Trio?

A predictive analysis of De Zerbi's formation shows how Tottenham could line up with the Galatasaray trio in their XI.

Likely XI (4-3-3 / 4-2-3-1 hybrid)

GK:

Ugurcan Cakir (likely replaces Vicario as No.1)

Back 4:

RB: Pedro Porro

CB: Cristian Romero

CB: Micky Van de Ven

LB: Destiny Udogie

Midfield:

DM: Yves Bissouma/Rodrigo Bentancur

CM: Gabriel Sara (box-to-box / progressive carrier)

AM: James Maddison (creative hub)

Front 3:

New Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has already made contact to bring a World Cup-winning free agent to the club to boost their survival bid.

Tottenham confirmed the arrival of the Italian on a five-year contract on Tuesday afternoon, after he performed a personal U-turn on only being keen to take on the job in the summer.

Spurs have made the 46-year-old the third best-paid manager in the Premier League, according to GMS sources, and he also has no relegation clause in his contract should the club fall into the Championship.

That is a distinct possibility as things stand with the north Londoners just one spot and one point above the drop zone in the Premier League, ahead of facing Sunderland in De Zerbi's first match in charge on April 12.

When they kick off on Wearside, Spurs could actually find themselves in the bottom three should London rivals West Ham United beat bottom-of-the-table Wolverhampton Wanderers at home two days prior.

Work will now begin for De Zerbi and Tottenham on adding to his coaching staff, with Tuttosport claiming that the Italian is attempting to bring his compatriot Alessandro Nesta to the English capital.

The 2026 World Cup winner's most recent job was at Monza in Serie A, but he was sacked after failing to keep the club in Italy's top tier last season and has been out of work since.

The report says that the 50-year-old had only been willing to consider another head coach role next, but he is willing to evaluate an offer from De Zerbi and Spurs.

Nesta Has Major Experience at the Top Level

Despite failing to really make his mark as a manager yet, there is no doubting the huge experience Nesta has from his playing days.

He has won the World Cup, two Champions Leagues with AC Milan and multiple Serie A titles, experience which he can pass on to these Tottenham players who are under pressure to produce performances and results in the next few weeks.

More helpful might be his ability to help a Spurs defence which has conceded 50 goals in 31 Premier League matches this term, given he is considered as one of the best centre-backs of the 21st century.

The sticking point for any deal will be convincing Nesta to become an assistant, given he has only held manager roles so far in his post-playing career at Miami FC, Perugia, Frosinone, Reggiana and Monza.

Tottenham Hotspur are set to announce Roberto De Zerbi as their next permanent manager, and he has seven games to save the club's Premier League status.

Spurs currently sit just one point above the relegation zone following their 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest before the international break, and the Italian will take charge of the team for the first time when they return from that break on April 12th for a huge clash against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

Injuries have been a major problem for the north London club this season, while a host of players have been underperforming from the level of quality they are known to have. So who will De Zerbi be calling upon in his first starting lineup for the game? GIVEMESPORT has had a look at the lay of the land.

Kinsky Redemption Arc?

While Guglielmo Vicario will undoubtedly be the first-choice goalkeeper under De Zerbi for the battle against the drop, the Italian has undergone surgery for a hernia problem and is likely to miss the game against Sunderland as he continues his recovery.

That should see Antonin Kinsky restored to the lineup for the first time since his horror show in Madrid against Atletico earlier this month, which saw him substituted at 3-0 down after just 17 minutes.

In front of his is likely to be a back four, and De Zerbi will likely go with a unit that is more familiar. Cristian Romero and Micky Van de Ven will almost certainly start in central defence, despite the decent form of Kevin Danso, while Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie should get the nod at full-back, with Djed Spence dropping out of the side as a result.

Bravery or Stupidity in Midfield?

De Zerbi has never been afraid of using young players, but with Tottenham's precarious position currently, it would certainly be a risk to go with it.

However, Archie Gray has made himself undroppable in recent weeks with his performances and should get the nod in his natural midfield role. The position to partner him is up for grabs, though. Joao Palhinha provides experience and defensive stability, while Lucas Bergvall is fit once again and could also slot in to provide more of an attacking threat. There is also hope that Rodrigo Bentancur could return from injury, adding another option into the mix.

Ahead of them, De Zerbi likes to have a number ten who can dictate games, and Xavi Simons deserves his spot in the side in his preferred role.

Kudus Returns, Kolo Muani Dropped

The attack has been the biggest issue for Spurs this season, having scored just 40 goals in their 31 games so far. But De Zerbi is expected to be able to call upon Ghana star Mohammed Kudus for this game, who has been missing with a quadriceps injury since January.

Alongside the 25-year-old, Mathys Tel has been the best-performing forward on the left wing despite the poor form of the team, and the young Frenchman should keep his starting spot if fit, having withdrawn from international duty with the France Under-21's.

Up front, Richarlison is the club's top scorer but Dominic Solanke has usually been the first-choice option. The Brazilian seems more likely to get the nod because of his ability to press, while Randal Kolo Muani, who got a 1/10 rating against Atletico Madrid, is almost certain to find himself on the bench.

Predicted Tottenham XI vs Sunderland for De Zerbi's first game:

Kinsky; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Gray, Palhinha; Kudus, Simons, Tel; Richarlison.

Roberto De Zerbi has taken on the challenge of steering Tottenham Hotspur away from the Premier League relegation zone after putting pen to paper on a five-year contract. However, he's already been told four of his new players could cause big problems.

The north London side have been sliding towards the drop zone ever since the start of 2026 and now sit just one point above West Ham United, who are third bottom. After Thomas Frank's dismissal and Igor Tudor's short reign, De Zerbi has been earmarked as the long-term man to steer the ship in the right direction.

He's fresh off the back of a spell in French football, where he made Marseille into a more formidable side than they have been in years. While he has gained a reputation for being difficult to keep happy, the Italian gets his teams playing an attractive brand of football.

Rio Ferdinand Warns De Zerbi About Five Spurs Stars

Speaking on his own podcast (per Metro), former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand had plenty to say when it comes to 'underachieving' players at Tottenham. The 47-year-old was asked which players could thrive under De Zerbi, and he replied:

"I actually couldn’t tell you, I couldn’t tell you.

"I thought [Micky] van de Ven was going to be a top centre-half. Is it him or is it the lack of stability at the football club or the tactics, the way the team is being set up that’s making him look bad? I don’t know."

Micky van de Ven wasn't the only one pointed out by Ferdindnad, as he added Richarlison to the list, saying: "I can go through so many players… I spoke to Carlo Ancelotti when he was the Everton manager and he had Richarlison there and he said this kid would play for a Real Madrid or a team like that, a category A club in Europe at some point.

"He couldn’t be further away from it if he tried right now. Is that down to him [Richarlison] or is that down to the environment that he’s in at Spurs?"

"There are far too many players that are underachieving with their quality from what we’ve seen before," he continued. The defender-turned-pundit then took aim at Xavi Simons, who was expected to do big things in England:

"Look at Xavi Simons at the Euros, he was brilliant for the Netherlands and his club football, he was flying,’ the ex-Manchester United and England defender went on.

"He’s gone to Spurs and he looks a shadow of himself, confidence has dropped, the environment is sucking the life out of these players."

James Maddison, who has been out injured since picking up an injury all the way back in pre-season. However, he didn't escape criticism as one of the more talented members of the Spurs squad.

"James Maddison has obviously had a lot of injuries but he wasn’t the Maddison of Leicester, pulling up trees and getting them out of situations consistently all the time," Ferdinand concluded.

Tottenham Could 'Ruin' De Zerbi's Reputation

Ferdinand was speaking one day before Tottenham confirmed their new manager, but he was of the belief that De Zerbi should steer clear of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Citing the number of managers who have failed at the club before, he suggested a poor spell could 'ruin' the new boss' reputation.

Tottenham Hotspur players and fans have been sent a warning by Brighton and Hove Albion captain Lewis Dunk about what Roberto De Zerbi's first few weeks at the club could look like.

Tottenham confirmed the appointment of the Italian on Tuesday afternoon after a U-turn by the 46-year-old, who decided he was willing to manage the club for the remainder of the season despite initially being against the idea and preferring to wait until the summer.

Spurs have convinced the former Marseille boss with a five-year contract that will make him the third best-paid manager in the Premier League, according to GIVEMESPORT sources, behind Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola.

GMS understands that there is no relegation release clause in the Italian's contract, with De Zerbi happy to manage the club in the Championship if the situation arises.

Of course, he will be hoping to steer Tottenham away from trouble in their final seven matches of the season, with the north Londoners currently lying one point above West Ham United in the final relegation spot ahead of De Zerbi's first match in charge against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light a week on Sunday.

Lewis Dunk: 'Carnage' at Start of De Zerbi' Reign

Speaking about De Zerbi's opening fortnight at Brighton, the current Seagulls captain said:

"If I am being honest, the first couple of weeks were horrendous. I wouldn’t say horrendous, they were baffling.

"The first meeting when he went in, I was so confused - who to look at, what to listen to, and you slowly pick up.

"Basically don’t listen to the manager, wait for the translator to speak and you get there in the end.

"Training changed dramatically, we worked on a lot of different stuff and the first couple of weeks were a really hard transition.

"We were fourth in the league when Graham [Potter] left and we were flying with him. It was a strange time for him to go and then Roberto came in and it was a carnage two weeks."

Tottenham Players 'Excited' by De Zerbi Appointment

Following underwhelming spells in charge for both Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor, Tottenham players are said to be 'excited' by the appointment of De Zerbi as the club's new manager.

The Italian has been praised by his peers, with Liverpool boss Arne Slot labelling him as 'one of the best managers in the world', and Manchester City's Pep Guardiola previously calling him 'one of the most influential managers of the last 20 years'.

What is clear is that these low-on-confidence Tottenham players need to buy into De Zerbi's tactics and methods immediately, if they are going to avoid a devastating relegation to the Championship.

Without a league win in 2026, Spurs are the out-of-form team in the relegation battle and they need instant results and everyone pulling together.

Tottenham have backed De Zerbi as the man to do that and then lead the club forward again in the summer, but first the players may have to do some uncomfortable things on the training pitch.

New Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi will have no relegation release clause in his contract as new details emerge over the agreement and what happens if they do go down, according to GIVEMESPORT sources.

Spurs have been looking to secure their next manager this week following the exit of Igor Tudor by mutual consent on Sunday, following a run of taking just one point from a possible 15 available in the Premier League during his 44-day reign.

The north Londoners had made De Zerbi their top target for both now and the summer, even above Mauricio Pochettino, as they looked to move away from the relegation zone in the remaining seven matches of the campaign.

Spurs even wanted to get the Italian to replace Thomas Frank immediately, but it wasn't possible as he had only just left Marseille himself.

Tottenham could begin their next match against Sunderland on April 12 in the drop zone, given they lie just one point ahead of London rivals West Ham United, who host bottom side Wolverhampton Wanderers a week on Friday.

Tottenham Agreement Proves De Zerbi Commitment

De Zerbi has agreed to become new Tottenham manager on a five-year deal, with GMS confirming that there is no relegation break clause, as first reported by BBC Sport on Tuesday afternoon.

Separate reports had suggested that De Zerbi wasn't keen to manage Spurs in the Championship, but the latest update is a sign of commitment to the project from all parties involved.

GMS understands that while there is no break clause, De Zerbi's salary would decrease should Tottenham be relegated.

GIVEMESPORT reported on Monday that the former Brighton boss is in line to become the third best-paid manager in the Premier League behind Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta.

Tottenham feel that a break clause was never necessary because they wanted the Italian to start a long-term project straightaway, rather than it simply being a seven-game rescue mission.

In theory, the 46-year-old could buy his way out of the contract if the club goes down and he wants to leave, but Spurs officials don't believe he is against managing in England's second tier if it came to it.

De Zerbi to Play Key Role in Hiring New Sporting Director

GMS also understands that, as well having no relegation release clause in his contract, De Zerbi will also now have a say in who Tottenham appoint as their next sporting director.

That power is said to appeal to the Italian as he looks to bring Spurs back towards the top end of the Premier League table after two awful seasons.

De Zerbi is fully committed to rebuilding Tottenham and after official confirmation of the deal arrives, he can begin work at Hotspur Way to help the club pick up the points they need to avoid an unthinkable relegation.

The Tottenham players who are on international duty will be due back in training later this week ahead of the clash at the Stadium of Light a week on Sunday.