Roberto De Zerbi agrees deal to become Tottenham manager | OneFootball

Confirmation imminent after former Brighton and Marseille manager agrees contract

Deal agreed: Roberto De Zerbi

London Standard

Tottenham are closing in on the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi as the club's new permanent head coach.

Standard Sport understands that an agreement has now been reached for De Zerbi to sign a long-term deal, believed to be up to five years.

It is all about the immediate future now, though, as he attempts to lead Spurs away from the threat of relegation.

There are still some finer details to iron out and decisions to be made over De Zerbi's backroom staff, but the Italian is expected to begin work at the club's training ground before the end of the week.

With Spurs being out of the FA Cup and the Champions League, the 46-year-old will have more than a week with the players before the trip to face Sunderland.

If West Ham beat Wolves a week on Friday, Spurs will go into that match at the Stadium of Light in the relegation zone.

The club currently sit just one point above the bottom three with seven Premier League matches remaining.

Following Igor Tudor's departure on Sunday, Spurs considered appointing another interim manager until the end of the season.

A figure with links to the club was a possibility, and that would have allowed Spurs more time to consider a permanent appointment in the summer, when Mauricio Pochettino, among others, would have been available.

However, the gravity of the situation in the relegation fight meant that Spurs' preference was to make a permanent hire now to try and get an immediate reaction from the squad.

After leaving Marseille in February, De Zerbi had indicated that he wanted to wait until at least the summer before jumping into his next job.

However, Spurs identified him as their top target, and he is the only candidate they have held serious talks with since the decision was made to part ways with Tudor.

De Zerbi plays an attacking brand of football that will excite fans, but hoping he can implement that with so little time and with a squad lacking in any confidence is a major risk.

The Italian is also not wanted by sections of the Spurs fanbase. Several supporter groups officially recognised by the club have urged Spurs not to appoint De Zerbi due to his support for Mason Greenwood after signing him for Marseille.