Tottenham appoint Roberto De Zerbi in bid to avoid relegation | OneFootball

Tottenham have appointed former Brighton and Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi.

De Zerbi joins Spurs on a five-year deal with the north London club appointing their third coach of the season after Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor.

The Italian tactician's first job will be to save Spurs from relegation with Europa League winners currently just one point from safety with seven games to go.

De Zerbi had reportedly been reticent to take the job at this point in the campaign, with the 46-year-old believed to want to wait until the summer to be appointed.

Tottenham, however, managed to persuade the ex-Brighton man to take the plunge now.

Sporting Director Johan Lange, said: “Roberto was our number one target for the summer and we are very pleased to be able to bring him in now.

“He is one of the most creative and forward-thinking coaches in world football, and brings with him a wealth of experience at the highest level, including in the Premier League.”

Spurs were linked with short-term moves for the likes of Sean Dyche, Harry Redknapp and Tim Sherwood but have opted for a more permanent hire ahead of the season's home stretch.

De Zerbi was most recently in charge of Marseille but left in February having fallen out with the French side's hierarchy.

📸 LOU BENOIST - AFP or licensors