Roberto De Zerbi is now the second-highest-paid manager in the Premier League, behind only ‘this’ legendary manager.
Roberto De Zerbi has instantly become the second-highest paid manager in the Premier League following his appointment as Tottenham Hotspur head coach, with the Italian set to earn a staggering £12 million per year after signing a long-term deal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
According to The Sun, only Pep Guardiola, who earns £20 million annually at Manchester City, sits above De Zerbi in the earnings rankings. The figure places the 46-year-old ahead of title challenger Mikel Arteta, who earns a reported £10 million per year at Arsenal, despite the two managers currently sitting 16 Premier League positions apart in the table. It is a remarkable statement of intent from a club that has historically been among the most conservative payers in the so-called big six.
The full top ten makes for illuminating reading. Unai Emery earns £8 million at Aston Villa, with Arne Slot on £6.6 million having delivered the Premier League title last season. Newcastle’s Eddie Howe rounds out the top six on £6 million, followed by David Moyes at Everton on £5 million, Nuno Espirito Santo at West Ham on £4.5 million, and Marco Silva and Liam Rosenior both earning £4 million to complete the list.
No relegation clause in De Zerbi’s contract
Crucially, Tottenham have not included a relegation clause in De Zerbi’s contract, meaning his deal remains fully intact even if the club drop into the Championship. It is a significant show of faith in his long-term vision from an ownership group that is clearly committed to a sustained project rather than a short-term fix. The absence of such a clause is all the more notable given that De Zerbi has never spent more than three years at a single club throughout his managerial career.
The appointment has not been without controversy. Multiple fan groups have launched protests under the banner of “No to De Zerbi,” citing his public defence of Mason Greenwood during his time at Marseille. The club hierarchy have pressed ahead regardless, making clear they believe he is the right person to navigate the relegation battle and lead the subsequent rebuild.
Between the five-year commitment and the £12 million annual salary, Tottenham have made an enormous financial bet on De Zerbi delivering. With seven games remaining and the Championship uncomfortably close, the return on that investment cannot come quickly enough.