Tottenham manager: I will stay with the team even if we are relegated
Roberto De Zerbi, Tottenham's new manager, has confirmed he will remain at the club next season even if they are relegated from the Premier League, welcoming the biggest challenge of his career. The Italian was appointed on a five-year contract on Tuesday, with Tottenham in a precarious position, just one point above the relegation zone. De Zerbi has only seven games to try and save Spurs, who have not experienced life outside the top flight since 1978.Reports indicated that the former Brighton and Marseille manager was initially reluctant to join Tottenham before the end of the season, but was persuaded by a lucrative five-year contract that made him one of the highest-paid managers in the Premier League. He denied any suggestion that his contract contained a clause allowing him to leave in the event of Tottenham's relegation.
De Zerbi told the club's media channel: "I signed a five-year contract because I see it as a big challenge. I will be Tottenham manager next season, no matter what. Tottenham, especially at this moment, is probably the biggest challenge of my career. I'm ready to take on this challenge."
De Zerbi earned a positive reputation in England during his two-year spell as Brighton manager between 2022 and 2024. His time at Marseille also started well, with the club finishing second in Ligue 1 last season behind Paris Saint-Germain and qualifying for the Champions League.
But he left the French club in February after failing to progress beyond the league stage of the Champions League, following a humiliating 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, and his appointment was not universally welcomed by Tottenham fans.
Some fan groups objected to his support for Mason Greenwood during his time at Marseille. The former England international was suspended by Manchester United in January 2022 following allegations of attempted rape and sexual assault against his then-partner. Prosecutors dropped the charges against Greenwood in February 2023, who has always denied the allegations, and he joined Marseille shortly after De Zerbi's arrival in July 2024.
Speaking in his native Italian, De Zerbi added: “I never intended to trivialize the issue of violence against women or violence against anyone in general. Those who know me well understand that I am not the type of person to compromise in order to win an extra match or an extra title. I apologize if I offended anyone with this. I have a daughter and I am very sensitive about these matters. I hope that people will get to know me better with time and understand that I did not intend to take a particular stance.”
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