Tottenham are in advanced talks about Roberto De Zerbi becoming their new manager and hope to make an announcement in the next few days if a deal can be agreed
John Cross and James Smailes
12:25, 30 Mar 2026
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Roberto De Zerbi is in advanced discussions over becoming Tottenham's next manager.
Negotiations are continuing but Tottenham are hopeful they can convince De Zerbi to take the role immediately. The club have set their sights on confirming an appointment within the next few days and are pushing to finalise a deal. Nothing has been signed off just yet, but there is a willingness from both parties to make it work.
Former Brighton manager De Zerbi had previously been reluctant to take charge before the summer, despite the Spurs position holding genuine appeal following his departure from Marseille. Tottenham interim boss Igor Tudor departed the club on Sunday by mutual consent after a brief 44-day spell at the helm.
It quickly became apparent that Tottenham had a clear direction, keen to bring in a manager this week to allow him sufficient time to prepare for their upcoming fixture against Sunderland on 12 April. The club are eager to have someone in place before the players return from international duty on Wednesday.
Although a caretaker option involving a former player was considered, their first approach was to De Zerbi, reports the Mirror.
The position will be a permanent one, and he is now open to taking charge straight away.
De Zerbi has built a reputation for bold, tactically astute football, something that greatly appeals to Spurs with just seven matches remaining.
Tudor's tenure proved disastrous, leaving Tottenham sitting just a single point above the relegation zone — and they could find themselves in the bottom three before their next match. West Ham face Wolves two days prior to Tottenham's trip to Sunderland, and should the Hammers claim victory, it would drop Spurs into the relegation zone.
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The prospect of Spurs being relegated would be unthinkable, and it is a risk they simply cannot afford, despite the club having originally intended to wait until the summer — which was the very reason Tudor was brought in.
They are yet to secure a single Premier League victory this calendar year, and De Zerbi's immediate priority will be guiding them to top-flight safety.
De Zerbi has already drawn criticism and concern from at least three Spurs supporters' groups due to his public backing of former Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood during his tenure at Marseille.