Tottenham Hotspur ‘closing in on’ Roberto De Zerbi before Sunderland trip | OneFootball

Tottenham could have a new head coach before their 12 April trip to Sunderland, with Roberto De Zerbi close after advanced talks, according to the Press Association.

Spurs turned back to De Zerbi after Igor Tudor’s departure on Sunday. The former Brighton boss had initially wanted to wait until the summer to assess options, but now looks set to take over immediately.

De Zerbi has been linked with the job since 2023 and again over the past month after Thomas Frank left on 11 February. A break until the end of the season had been expected after he left Marseille in the same week.

Tottenham had appointed Tudor as interim head coach, but his shambolic 44-day reign brought five defeats in seven and a run of questionable tactical calls, raising the realistic threat of a first relegation since 1977.

The situation forced one final roll of the dice, and with fans’ favourite Mauricio Pochettino contracted to lead the United States at this summer’s World Cup, De Zerbi has emerged as the most viable candidate available.

First-team coach Bruno Saltor led training for those not on international duty after Tudor’s exit. Tottenham expected a new head coach would be hired by midweek to allow 10 days to prepare for the Stadium of Light, and that is set to be De Zerbi.

Source: Sunderland Echo