Relegation clause and five year deal - Spurs are luring De Zerbi
Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 30.03.26. | 20:45
The Italian manager is negotiation with Tottenham over an immediate appointment
Tottenham Hotspur have no time to waste. After parting ways with Igor Tudor following just 44 days in charge, the club immediately rolled up its sleeves and moved for an Italian coach. At first, Roberto De Zerbi was not particularly keen, but according to information from Gianluca Di Marzio, he is now open to seriously considering the offer from the Premier League side, who are fighting to preserve their top-flight status with seven matches left in the season. The former coach of Olympique de Marseille, Brighton & Hove Albion, Shakhtar Donetsk, and US Sassuolo has reportedly been offered a very long contract—lasting five years.
🚨 BREAKING: Roberto De Zerbi is now close to an agreement with Spurs following a breakthrough in talks. Five-year contract on offer.
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) March 30, 2026
De Zerbi had told Spurs last week he wanted to wait until summer, but a lucrative long-term deal has made him open to taking the job now.
🤝… pic.twitter.com/SJHBAu09Oa
The big question, however, is what happens in case of relegation. While there are no concrete details yet, it is not ruled out that a release clause is being discussed. De Zerbi already stated privately that he would like to accept Spurs (or any other club) after the end of the season, so his willingness to negotiate the deal after all means that some sort of relegation clause is in works. The Italian has no interest in working in Championship but his overall commitment will be questioned then – he is willing to accept a five-year deal, but could already be out in May if the club gets relegated?
According to the reports, the next few hours will be crucial for a final decision, which would see the Italian take over immediately and face the challenge in a very delicate survival battle. If Tottenham manage to stay in the league, the club is ready to back the 46-year-old with the construction of a strong and competitive squad for the coming seasons. He will also get a huge wage, reportedly the second highest in the league, after Pep Guardiola!
If he accepts, De Zerbi would become Tottenham’s third manager this season (after Thomas Frank and Tudor), and it would mark his second spell in the Premier League, having impressed during his time at Brighton between 2022 and 2024. Tottenham currently sit 17th in the Premier League with 29 points, just one above 18th-placed West Ham United. Their remaining fixtures include away trips to Sunderland AFC, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Aston Villa, as well as home matches against Brighton & Hove Albion, Leeds United, and Everton FC, plus a crucial away clash with Chelsea FC.