De Zerbi truth on Tottenham clause and the two agreements he made | Football | Sport
He has succeeded Igor Tudor, who was dismissed on Sunday after a catastrophic 44-day spell in north London, and faces the immediate challenge of securing the club’s top-tier place. Tottenham have endured a dreadful campaign thus far and occupy 17th position in the table, merely one point and one place above West Ham in 18th. Indeed, Spurs have not secured victory in any of their previous 13 top-flight fixtures and now face genuine jeopardy of dropping into the Championship.
However, should De Zerbi maintain Tottenham’s Premier League standing, he would collect a substantial survival bonus, according to The Mirror. This would, naturally, complement the considerable salary he is drawing from his contract, with the Italian reportedly having become the third-highest-paid manager in England behind Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta and Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola.
Should De Zerbi fail to keep Spurs in the top division, though, there is no relegation escape clause written into his contract, and he would consequently guide the club into the Championship. The former Brighton and Marseille manager has seven matches to secure Tottenham’s Premier League survival, with his first competitive fixture in charge set to be an away trip to Sunderland on Sunday, 12th April.
They then welcome his former side Brighton before heading to bottom-placed Wolves in a three-match spell that could prove decisive if Spurs are to retain their top-flight status. Aston Villa, Leeds United, Chelsea and Everton are the remaining four opponents Tottenham must face between now and the season’s conclusion.
Speaking following his appointment, De Zerbi made clear that his immediate priority was keeping Tottenham in the Premier League. “I am delighted to be joining this fantastic football club, which is one of the biggest and most prestigious in the world,” he said.
“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.
“I am here because I believe in that ambition and have signed a long-term contract to give everything to deliver it. 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.”
Tottenham sporting director Johan Lange stated: “Roberto was our number one target for the summer and we are very pleased to be able to bring him in now.
“He is one of the most creative and forward-thinking coaches in world football and brings with him a wealth of experience at the highest level, including in the Premier League.”
