Roberto De Zerbi takes Tottenham job amid injuries, with Leeds visit and survival ‘priority’ | OneFootball

Leeds United face a timely twist in the survival battle, with Tottenham Hotspur confirming Roberto De Zerbi as head coach and injuries biting with seven games left. Spurs still host Leeds in early May.

Igor Tudor departed after a 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest before the international break, ending a 44-day stint that left Tottenham one point above the drop zone. De Zerbi is believed to have signed a five-year deal without a relegation clause. The Leeds meeting at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is the third-last league game for both.

De Zerbi said he has joined because he believes in the club’s ambition and has committed long term, while stressing the immediate aim is to climb the Premier League table. He wants to get to work on the training pitch and deliver for supporters.

His first match is away to Sunderland, but there is a potential new concern after Pape Sarr missed Senegal’s 3-1 win over Gambia, reportedly with a shoulder issue. He has over a week to recover before the Stadium of Light trip, although any missed training could slow adaptation to De Zerbi’s demanding style.

Sarr has featured in 22 Premier League games this season, with two goals and three assists, and has been a consistent performer. Tottenham already have several players sidelined, including Wilson Odobert, Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Guglielmo Vicario, Mathys Tel, Mohammed Kudus, Rodrigo Bentancur, Ben Davies and Yves Bissouma.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk