Tottenham’s slide: churn, chaos and costly misfires leave De Zerbi facing relegation fight | OneFootball

Tottenham, Champions League finalists in 2019 and the world’s ninth-richest, are mired in a second straight relegation fight. According to L'Équipe, Roberto De Zerbi arrives after Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor failed, with Spurs 17th, one point above West Ham, and out of the Champions League.

Elite facilities and finances contrast with 19 defeats in all competitions, even as season tickets can top €1,000. A lavish stage, underwhelming fare.

Since Mauricio Pochettino’s 2019 exit, an attempted reunion in summer 2021 failed. Nine managers have come and gone, De Zerbi is the 10th.

Daniel Levy, long the face of the club but a 25 percent shareholder, was removed by the Lewis family in September 2025. They said the club was not for sale and installed Peter Charrington as non-executive chairman.

Johan Lange now steers recruitment. Eight of the 10 biggest buys came in the past four years and, aside from perhaps Micky van de Ven, few suggest resale upside. Record fees have declined.

Lange also stacked attackers, adding Xavi Simons, Mathys Tel, Randal Kolo Muani and Wilson Odobert despite Thomas Frank using no playmaker. An agent familiar with Spurs questioned selling Brennan Johnson in winter, calling him their best performer this season.

De Zerbi must conjure quick fixes without several injured players. With Guglielmo Vicario recovering from hernia surgery, Antonin Kinsky is set to start in goal. Tottenham’s last relegation was in 1977.

Source: L'Équipe