Roberto De Zerbi: Ex-Brighton boss open to joining Tottenham Hotspur as new head coach immediately

Ex-Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi is open to joining Tottenham as their new head coach immediately, according to Sky in Italy.

Sky in Italy are reporting that talks are expected to take place with De Zerbi over a five-year contract proposal from Spurs, who are searching for a third managerial appointment of the season following Igor Tudor's exit on Sunday.

Sky Sports News understands Tottenham's preference is for a permanent appointment after Tudor's disastrous seven games in charge across 44 days.

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Sky Sports News has reported for several weeks that all options have been under consideration, including accelerating the appointment of a summer target.

De Zerbi is high among those, along with Mauricio Pochettino and others.

De Zerbi having a change of heart?

De Zerbi is available after leaving Marseille in February, but Sky in Italy reported last week that he was not expected to join Tottenham - or any other club - before the end of the season.

The 46-year-old had intended to avoid an immediate return to football so he could evaluate his options in the summer.

But it appears he has had a change of heart and could now join relegation-threatened Spurs.

The north London club sit just one place and one point above the relegation zone with only seven Premier League games left.

Tottenham are aiming to avoid relegation to the second tier for the first time since 1977, with their next match at Sunderland on April 12, live on Sky Sports.

De Zerbi could be set for a return to the Premier League, having managed Brighton for nearly two seasons, where he achieved the club's highest-ever top-flight finish as they secured European qualification for the first time in their history after finishing sixth in the 2022/23 campaign.

The ex-Shakhtar Donetsk boss then left the Seagulls at the end of the following season after an 11th-placed finish and a run to the Europa League last 16.

De Zerbi then joined Marseille in the summer of 2024 before leaving by mutual consent last month after their Champions League league phase exit and a 5-0 thrashing at Paris Saint-Germain, which left them fourth in Ligue 1 having finished runners-up to PSG the season before.

Why Spurs fan groups are against De Zerbi appointment

Three Tottenham fan groups have previously urged the club to rethink any potential appointment of De Zerbi due to his past backing of Marseille forward Mason Greenwood.

Fan groups Proud Lilywhites, Women of the Lane and Spurs Reach all expressed their concerns about the Italian after he worked with Greenwood at Marseille.

Ex-Manchester United forward Greenwood was charged in October 2022 with one count of attempted rape, one count of controlling and coercive behaviour and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm over allegations relating to a young woman after images and videos were posted online.

The Crown Prosecution Service dropped the charges in February 2023 owing to a "combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses" and due to "no realistic prospect of conviction". Greenwood has since resumed his career and joined Marseille in 2024.

In November, De Zerbi described Greenwood as a "good guy" who had paid a "heavy price" and added: "It saddens me what happened in his life, because I know a totally different person than the one who was described."

Spurs' LGBTQI+ fan group Proud Lilywhites said: "We've seen the reports linking Roberto De Zerbi with the Tottenham job and honestly, it doesn't sit right.

"As Proud Lilywhites, we care deeply about this club, not just what happens on the pitch, but what Tottenham stands for off it. This isn't just about results or style of football. It's about values, identity, and the kind of people we choose to represent us.

"We all want Spurs to move forward, but how we do that matters. When someone in that position publicly defends a player like Mason Greenwood, and frames it in a way that downplays the seriousness of what happened, it matters, not just in isolation but in what it signals.

"We are proud of the progress that's been made in making football more inclusive and welcoming.

"That progress matters, and it cannot be compromised or treated as secondary.

"We are not asking for perfection. We are asking for accountability, transparency and leadership that reflects the values this club claims to stand for. All together, always. That has to mean something. No to De Zerbi."

Women of the Lane added: "We want to be clear about how this [speculation] is landing with many women and allies in our community.

"De Zerbi has publicly defended Mason Greenwood in a way that downplays the seriousness of male violence against women and girls. That raises serious questions about judgement and leadership.

"This is not an appointment Tottenham Hotspur should make."

A Spurs Reach statement read: "Comments previously attributed to Roberto De Zerbi, including public remarks defending and contextualising Mason Greenwood following serious allegations have been widely criticised for appearing to minimise the gravity of violence against women.

"Regardless of intent, framing of this nature risks normalising harmful attitudes, diminishing the experiences of survivors and sending a deeply concerning message about what is tolerated within the game.

"We all want the club to progress but it must do so in a way that reflects its values. No to De Zerbi."

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