Tottenham Hotspur are in advanced discussions with Roberto De Zerbi, the former Brighton manager, with the Italian now reportedly willing to take charge of the club immediately, according to sources.
Earlier reports suggested De Zerbi preferred to wait until the end of the season before assuming a managerial role. However, Tottenham are accelerating talks to secure an immediate appointment, offering the 46-year-old a long-term contract following his departure from Marseille in February.
Spurs currently sit 17th in the Premier League, just one point above the relegation zone, and are yet to record a league win in 2026. Interim head coach Igor Tudor left by mutual consent on Sunday after 44 days in charge, following a 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest. The club’s chief executive Vinai Venkatesham and sporting director Johan Lange are now leading the search for Tudor’s replacement.
Despite progress with De Zerbi, some Tottenham supporters’ groups have expressed concerns over his previous public support for former Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood. Greenwood, 24, joined De Zerbi at Marseille in 2023 after legal charges against him were dropped. During his time in France, De Zerbi described Greenwood as a “good guy” who had paid a “heavy price” for his past actions.
Proud Lilywhites, Spurs’ official LGBTQ+ fans’ group, stated:
“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.”
Other managerial options under consideration include former Nottingham Forest boss Sean Dyche, who could offer short-term stability but reportedly demands an 18-month contract. Mauricio Pochettino remains a fan favorite, but commitments to the USA national team ahead of the World Cup make an immediate return unlikely.
Interim solutions could involve former Tottenham players or managers such as Ryan Mason, Harry Redknapp, Tim Sherwood, Glenn Hoddle, Chris Hughton, or even current player Ben Davies, until the end of the season. Former Monaco head coach Adi Hutter, initially linked to the role, has ruled himself out until the next season.
As Spurs rush to appoint a permanent head coach, the club faces the dual challenge of addressing on-field struggles and navigating fan concerns over potential appointments.
