Roberto De Zerbi reveals Tottenham target in first words after signing as head coach | OneFootball

Italian has agreed long-term deal with Spurs’ Premier League future in doubt

Roberto De Zerbi has set his sights on achieving ‘great’ things with Tottenham - provided he can keep them in the Premier League this season.

They did not improve during his tenure, though, and De Zerbi steps in with the side only one point clear of the relegation zone.

The 46-year-old Italian, who was most recently employed by Marseille before being sacked in February, has agreed a long-term deal, which is not thought to contain a relegation release clause.

Speaking after signing, he lauded the club’s ‘ambitious’ executives and set his sights on winning over a disillusioned fanbase.

“I am delighted to be joining this fantastic football club, which is one of the biggest and most prestigious in the world,” he told the club’s website.

“In all my discussions with the Club’s leadership, their ambition for the future has been clear – to build a team capable of reaching great achievements, and to do that playing a style of football that excites and inspires our supporters.

De Zerbi added the caveat, though, that the top item on his to-do list is to save Spurs from the threat of relegation.

He continued: “Our short-term priority is to climb the Premier League table, which will be the complete focus until the final whistle of the last game of the season. I’m looking forward to getting out on the training pitch and working with these players to achieve that.”

De Zerbi will take to the Tottenham dugout for the first time on April 12, facing Sunderland away, before making his home debut against his former club, Brighton, the following Saturday.