Tottenham are pushing to sign Manchester City and England goalkeeper James Trafford this summer, with the 23-year-old a key target as the club prepares for a busy transfer window. (Teamtalk, external)
Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your views on what Roberto de Zerbi should be looking to change or introduce in order to get some quick success as Tottenham prepare to take on their final seven Premier League fixtures of the season.
As the third man to take up a managerial position at the club in 2025-26, what does the Italian boss need to do differently to his predecessors to help the club avoid relegation?
Take a look at some of the data we unearthed on the post below this one and here are some of your suggestions:
Drew: He must look forensically at videos from the last 10 to 15 league games, identify anyone not putting a shift in, and not select them for the remainder of the season because they clearly have no desire to compete. It will be fate that either keeps Spurs up or sends Spurs down to the Championship. I hope he gives some of the youngsters a chance to shine.
John: Spurs must display more focused passion while playing. The manager must drop anyone not committed to the cause, no matter how important we think they are in this relegation battle. The team and its spirit come first, always!
Kevin: He needs to improve the team's mental stability. In every position, especially in the back line, we are playing very tentatively and it's got nothing to do with the players' technical skill sets.
Frank: I agree that the players must unite and put in effort but, after reading the gossip column, it looks like Bissouma, Vicario and Romero are all looking at get out options so it's hard to believe that they, and some of the others, are truly committed to the club.
Jamie: He needs to get the fans behind the team. Spurs fans sing all too often about hating Arsenal, we all know that. We need to concentrate on Tottenham and get behind the players to give them a lift and some support.
Luke Reddy
BBC Sport senior journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesRoberto de Zerbi will face the glare of the cameras at Sunderland on Sunday - the third man in Tottenham's dugout this season with the task of reviving the Europa League holders as they stare down the unthinkable prospect of relegation from the Premier League.
De Zerbi has - in some quarters - already been questioned by virtue of his methods requiring time before players adjust. Time is one thing Tottenham do not have.
So where might there be quick wins for Spurs and their new leader? Such are the fine margins between success and failure at the bottom of the table, a few subtle tweaks may be all that is needed to at least fall over the safety line and create room for a wider overhaul during the summer.
Stop making mistakes
Tottenham are ranked joint-bottom for errors leading to goals this season, on 12 with Aston Villa. Spurs are out on their own as the worst side in the league for errors leading to chances on 39. So, put simply, stop the errors. Can De Zerbi influence the mindset whereby some confidence is injected, paving the way for clearer decisions and fewer mistakes?
De Zerbi's Brighton side of 2023-24 were second-worst in the league for errors leading to goals (nine) and fifth-worst for errors leading to chances.
Be more incisive
Spurs - historically viewed as a creative, flair-rich club - are blunt this season. There are mitigating circumstances with game-changing attacking options injured on the sidelines. But, through the entire campaign, data from statisticians Opta shows Tottenham have played a total of 22 through balls. That is the worst figure in the league, behind Wolves on 24. For context, Manchester City have played 105. So can De Zerbi cut out the errors leading to chances at one end while encouraging his players to embrace a bit of risk at the other? This is a time for heroes and, in most comic books, heroes score goals or play through balls.
Brighton played with a bit more risk in De Zerbi's final season - their haul of 62 through balls put them 10th in the Premier League.
Embrace the Bale memories
We all remember the sight of Gareth Bale powering down the left flank, at pace, defenders shaking in peril as a fast break overwhelms them. It is a good job Spurs fans have such memories as, this season, their mark of 14 fast breaks is a league low. Some pace and ferocity on the counter have been sorely missing. De Zerbi would be wise to introduce it.
This looks unlikely to change as in his last season at Brighton, De Zerbi's side delivered 10 fast breaks - the lowest in the Premier League.
Corner kings - keep it going
There is something in the water in north London this season given the corner joy both Arsenal and Spurs have enjoyed. This facet of Tottenham's play is bang on point and that has to remain the case. They have scored 14 times from corners, with only Arsenal bettering the tally on 16. Whatever is being coached in this area, De Zerbi must welcome with open arms.
This is a bonus for De Zerbi to inherit as his last incarnation of a Brighton side were average when it came to scoring from corners, with seven goals in 2023-24.
So from a data perspective, the stand-out areas where crucial points can be edged Tottenham's way are focused on reducing errors, adding some bravery in cutting edge, breaking with a bit more zip and continuing to deliver from dead balls.
Is there anything that has been missed? Tell us of one key thing you think De Zerbi must change.
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your views on Spurs' Premier League run-in and whether they will avoid the drop.
Here are some of your comments:
Ricky: I think it's almost a certainty that the third relegation spot will go down to the last seconds of extra time in the very last game being played in the entire Premier League season, with the fate of all four clubs - Nottingham Forest, West Ham, Leeds and Spurs - hanging on the result. My specific prediction (or is it desperate hope) is that West Ham score a late winner against Leeds that sends Leeds down, but keeps themselves, Spurs and Forest up.
Mark: If Roberto de Zerbi comes in with an immediate lift that we've been missing, then we might be OK. Four away games out of seven is definitely a positive factor... sad to say.
John: Spurs have no excuse for the situation they are in. The players must unite like never before to save their club. Nobody can do it for them - don't depend on other clubs' results!
Tottenham are considering a move for Manchester City and England goalkeeper James Trafford, 23, as a replacement for Guglielmo Vicario, with Inter Milan interested in the 29-year-old. (Sun, external)
Spurs, along with Galatasaray and Newcastle are interested in Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte, 24. The Reds will sell the Uruguay midfielder this summer. (Fabrizio Romano, external)
Turkish side Fenerbahce want to sign Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma in the summer. The 29-year-old has only played eight times this season. (TurkishFootball, external)
Meanwhile Spurs and Chelsea are both looking at signing Sporting midfielder Maxi Araujo. The 26-year-old can play as a left winger or wing-back and is a regular for Uruguay. (CaughtOffside, external)
Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column
Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist
There are 21 points left up for grabs in the 2025-26 Premier League season and every one of those will matter for those near the bottom of the table.
Who will survive and who will be relegated to the Championship?
West Ham currently sit in 18th, with Tottenham one point above the drop, Nottingham Forest three ahead and Leeds four.
Here's a look at the four clubs' final seven games of the season.
West Ham face bottom club Wolves on Friday - their first of four home games in the run-in.
The Hammers then face Brentford, Everton and Newcastle, who are all chasing a European spot, and current league leaders Arsenal.
If it goes down to the wire, then the final game of the season between West Ham and Leeds could be all or nothing.
Unlike West Ham, Tottenham have more away games in their run-in.
Yet that could in fact favour Spurs given they possess the worst home record in the Premier League this season, having won just two of their 16 home games.
Roberto de Zerbi will need to make an immediate impact as they travel to Sunderland and then host his former club Brighton the following week.
Spurs host Leeds on 11 May in what could be an important game in the fight for survival, before two tricky final games against Chelsea and Everton.
Nottingham Forest and Leeds have three and four-point buffers to the drop zone respectively - but they will play more games than Tottenham and West Ham as they are both still in cup competitions.
Forest have still got to play three of the current top six, as well as European-chasing Newcastle and Bournemouth.
Should they progress to the Europa League semi-finals then both legs will have to be played either side of their trip to Stamford Bridge on 4 May.
Leeds' FA Cup semi-final - also against Chelsea - will be played three days after their visit to Bournemouth.
And it is Leeds who have to play the most teams near the bottom, with four of their seven remaining fixtures against the current bottom four.
So how are you feeling? Does it make you nervy looking at your club's and other teams' fixtures? Or do you think you have enough to beat the drop?
Get in touch with your views here
All kick-off times BST, fixture dates and times subject to change.
Ali Speechly
Fan writer
As I try to reconcile my feelings of not wanting Roberto de Zerbi at Spurs with my equally strong feelings of not wanting us to get relegated, I'm curious to see how our new manager will get the best out of the players in our remaining seven games.
A win against Sunderland is crucial for everyone concerned with the future of Tottenham Hotspur. Not only do we desperately need the points, but the performance and result will also determine the tone and direction the rest of this atrocious season takes.
After sharing the Italian's non-apology for his previous comments on Mason Greenwood – apologising for the possibility that you might have offended someone's feelings is not the same as saying sorry for what you actually said or did – the Spurs PR machine has been keen to flood the timeline with as much footage of De Zerbi on the grass with the squad as possible.
Clearly, what happens in training matters. How quickly De Zerbi is able to organise and educate his players on shape, style, roles, responsibilities and other tactics will have a direct impact on his success and the club's survival in the Premier League.
He will face the same challenges as his predecessors: a squad devoid of confidence and leadership, a significant injury list including influential players, a board that will be assessing his every move, and a fanbase that is desperate to support the team, but has run out of patience and won't be shy about expressing our disapproval if we don't like what we see.
If I was De Zerbi I would be identifying who holds the social capital in this group of players – whose sphere of influence is widest and strongest – and I would be securing their buy-in as soon as possible.
Even if the fanbase is divided over his appointment, from a purely footballing perspective the squad must believe in De Zerbi, or we will be a Championship team next season.
Actions speak louder than words. It's time to let the football do the talking.
Find more from Ali Speechly at Women Of The Lane, external and on Instagram, external
Tottenham will not entertain offers below 50m euros (£43.6m) for their captain Cristian Romero, with the Argentina defender wanted by Atletico Madrid. (Fichajes - in Spanish, external)
Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column
Tottenham defender Luka Vuskovic, 19, currently on loan at Hamburg, has suggested he could return to Spurs despite interest from major clubs in Europe. (The Standard), external
Rangers winger Mikey Moore, 18, who is on loan from Tottenham, reveals he had a health scare that left him bed bound for six weeks last season. (Sun), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column
Ian Dennis
BBC Radio 5 Live senior football reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesWhat I couldn't work out about Roberto de Zerbi, was this talk, the initial talk, of that he'll take the job in the summer.
I was thinking, 'no, back yourself now, get the games remaining now. Go in, get the job done, keep Tottenham up. Then you assess the squad with these closing fixtures, and you can hit the ground running for next season.'
So in many ways, I'm glad that he's done what he's done and also that he's in for the long haul. There's no clause in there. If they get relegated, he'll then bring them back from the Championship.
That is a manager who's backing himself and I was pleased about that because I just thought it was an easy way out to say he'll let somebody else take the flak if he can't keep them up.
There was talk of Spurs legends maybe coming in to try and save the day but the fact that he's done it now and there is no relegation clause means De Zerbi is in it for the long haul.
I was quite pleased about that.
Listen to Ian debate De Zerbi and more on The Commentators' View
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Image source, Getty ImagesTottenham's players and coaches have come in for major criticism this season.
Roberto de Zerbi has seven games left to turn things around and stave off relegation.
He will not tolerate interference and will not stand for players who won't do what he wants them to. If they fall short, they will be out.
De Zerbi's identity as a coach is about free-flowing and forward-passing football, which fits Tottenham too - it is what their fans want - but without having strong characters and a bit of well-directed leadership on the pitch, that will not count when the going gets tough.
Wherever I managed, having that kind of character in my team was always hugely important to me. I felt a sound base like that within the team gave even limited players a chance of being successful by getting results over the course of a long and demanding season.
To find out the character of these players, I would go through numerous routes to make sure the lad I was going to sign indeed had the right credentials.
Watching them in away games was a must, for example. So was speaking to their former coaches or managers - and players who had played with them.
Off the field, I'd try to put a picture together too. Did they go out a lot? Were they married? The whole process would be as thorough as I could make it. I should add that it did not always go to plan!
Spurs cannot sign anyone now to change things, so instead their players have to step up and show they have the ability to scrap it out and remain a Premier League side. If they are not up for the fight, they are going down.
I was once told by a very senior manager at a top club that my biggest challenge at a team I had just taken over would be to get everyone pulling together as one. If I could manage that, he said, I would have a great chance of success.
That applies to every manager, but with the added layers of management today, doing it has become even tougher. It has to be the target for De Zerbi and Spurs too, whatever division they are in next season.
West Ham United forward Crysencio Summerville is being monitored by Tottenham, Everton, Aston Villa, Marseille and Napoli. (Teamtalk), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column
Scott McCarthy
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesAs a Brighton fan, watching Roberto de Zerbi take charge of Tottenham is how I imagine it feels to drive a dependable German family car but still lust a little jealously over the wild Italian sportscar you joyfully swept along in when you were younger.
Spurs supporters can expect a brilliant, distinct style of football which is unique in terms of how risky it is. When Brighton mastered DeZerbiBall and were on form, the only team in the Premier League who could live with the Albion were Manchester City.
De Zerbi's Seagulls ended Arsenal's 2022-23 title hopes by thrashing the Gunners 3-0 at the Emirates. When Liverpool came to the Amex, Jurgen Klopp had no answers other than to stare dazed and confused into the distance as Brighton sauntered to a 3-0 win.
And no Albion fan will ever forget the 4-1 demolition job De Zerbi carried out on Chelsea, just one month after Graham Potter walked out and took the entire backroom team with him.
But De Zerbi comes with a caveat – and it is a pretty big one for a club in a relegation battle. His tactics take time for players to get their heads around. And time is something Spurs do not really have.
That victory over Chelsea was De Zerbi's first as Brighton boss. In his fifth game in charge. De Zerbi is the only manager in Albion history to have gone his first four matches without a win. A worse start than even Jeff Wood and Martin Hinshelwood.
If Spurs take six weeks and five matches to adapt to DeZerbiBall as Brighton did, they may well find themselves hosting Lincoln City and Stevenage at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next season.
That is the risk Spurs are taking appointing De Zerbi at this moment in time – not to mention his combustible personality means a falling out with the board somewhere down the line seems almost inevitable.
The one thing you can say with certainty is that it whatever happens, it will not be dull. Strap yourselves in Tottenham fans – you are in for quite the ride.
Find more from Scott McCarthy at We Are Brighton, external
Image source, Getty ImagesIn his first interview as Tottenham head coach, Roberto de Zerbi was asked about fan concerns over comments he made during his time as Marseille boss on the signing of Mason Greenwood.
De Zerbi has said Greenwood "paid in a strong way" after leaving Manchester United for Marseille after charges against him, including attempted rape and assault, were dropped and added the forward "seems a good lad" who "I feel sad for".
Greenwood was seen as one of United's most promising young players when, at the age of 20, he was arrested in January 2022.
All charges against the former England international were dropped in February 2023.
Choosing to answer the question in Italian to ensure he is "clear" in his response, De Zerbi said: "I have never wanted to downplay the issue of violence against women or violence against anyone more broadly.
"In my life I've always stood up for those who are more vulnerable, more fragile.
"I've consistently fought and took a stand to be on the side of those who are most at risk.
"Those of you who know me well will know I'm not the type of person who makes compromises to win more games or to win an extra title.
"I'm sorry if I offended anyone's feelings with this subject matter. I have a daughter and I'm very sensitive to these things, and I always have been.
"I hope that over time people will get to know me better and will understand that at that moment I didn't mean to take a stance."
Bardi
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesOnly Tottenham would respond to the current bin fire at the club by turning to a famously incendiary manager to put out the flames.
After tens of thousands of supporters lined the streets in an act of unity, the Tottenham board split the fanbase by appointing Roberto de Zerbi.
The Italian, known for his high-pressing, attacking football, arrives with a reputation that has already prompted concern from supporter groups and the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust.
The questions around hiring a manager with so much baggage from his time at Marseille will dominate opinion within Spurs circles, but an equally pressing question is whether he has the tactical quick-fix credentials to pull this team out of the mire.
Spurs are a collection of individuals bereft of confidence and technical ability.
Under Igor Tudor, they showed the energy to outrun opponents, but in possession it was little more than hit and hope, far removed from De Zerbi's style.
Three years ago, he was at the cutting edge of build-up play, but the Premier League has evolved.
Teams now sit deeper, wait for mistakes, and punish them through set pieces or long throws. By the end of his time at Brighton, opponents had begun to expose the chinks in his setup. He will need to adapt quickly.
There is also a personnel issue. This squad is packed with direct dribblers and box-to-box midfielders. One of De Zerbi's first challenges will be to develop a midfield capable of operating as a double pivot, comfortable receiving under pressure.
The defence must also learn the intricacies of building from deep, a clear shift from the more direct approaches under previous managers.
History and his record suggest his methods take time to embed. He does not have the luxury of time.
The club have framed this as a long-term appointment, but the reality is the short term matters most.
How many points he can gather in the next seven games will define everything. It is a considerable gamble to divide the fanbase at such a fragile moment. Will it be worth it?
Find more from Bardi at The Extra Inch - a Spurs podcast, external
Inter Milan and Netherlands right-back Denzel Dumfries has been offered to Premier League clubs including Tottenham, Manchester United, Liverpool, Newcastle United, Manchester City and Chelsea. (Teamtalk), external
Roberto de Zerbi wants to sign 28-year-old Juventus and Italy midfielder Manuel Locatelli for Tottenham this summer. (Calciomercato - in Italian), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column
Ali Speechly
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesIn one final, desperate roll of the dice, the Spurs board has sold its soul to Roberto de Zerbi.
As someone who has spent years trying to make football a safer space for women and girls, this is a sucker punch.
I do not wish to separate the coach from his attitudes because, in my experience, a person's values are also a key indicator as to how they will train, manage and lead players.
Even so, let me attempt to play devil's advocate for one moment.
In purely footballing terms, De Zerbi is not a good fit for Spurs.
He had a relatively successful spell at Brighton, although he failed to win any of his first five games in charge.
Spurs do not have time or games left to lose.
De Zerbi's system takes time to implement and it seems highly unlikely he can achieve this in the midst of a relegation battle.
His stint at Brighton ended following criticism of the board over a lack of support in the transfer market. Even if Spurs promise to back him with suitable investments, it doesn't exactly sound like a match made in heaven, does it?
De Zerbi lasted 21 months at Brighton and then 18 months at Marseille. He is not going to want to stick around if Spurs get relegated, but even if we don't, it seems unlikely that he will tolerate the club's board for very long.
Which brings us back to De Zerbi's character. A man who has publicly defended and shown sympathy for Mason Greenwood. A man who is described as "fiery" by some, and "combustible" by others. A man who could bring fireworks to N17, but is more likely to walk away as the whole place burns to the ground behind him.
Desperate times call for desperate measures, but this is a punt I will never forgive the board for, even if we do stay up.
Find more from Ali Speechly at Women Of The Lane, external and on Instagram, external
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robinson says new head coach Roberto de Zerbi's football over the next seven games "might not be pretty" but then "he can only improve".
"It's a good appointment for Tottenham," he told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.
"He's a manager who doesn't care what people think. He's his own man and he's always delivered under pressure.
"The only problems he's had are when the ownership and director of football are pulled in a different direction - then the project for him unravels very quickly.
"When you look at the job he did at Marseille, the city was very much behind him but the decision-making at the top was not and maybe he was guilty of changing systems and personnel too much towards the end of his tenure.
"His initial remit at Tottenham is to keep them in the Premier League. He can't go in there and change the dressing room. He can't change the players. He's very intelligent with his football knowledge and he will know he's got to go in there and make friends.
"He's got to make every player play for him, every player like him, and come together as a team to get results. Then, at the end of the season, he can be ruthless as he will have assessed the club and the squad himself already.
"He'll know exactly what he wants to do in the summer, but in the short term it might not be pretty. He might go against his style. In the long term he'll play open, expansive, high-pressing football, but for now it might be kicking it long and putting it in the corners.
"It's just about getting through and starting again next season as a Premier League club.
"Tottenham finished 17th last year and are fighting relegation this year. If they stay up, he can only improve. It's a great project at a fantastic club for him to improve."
Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent
Image source, Getty ImagesIt's a five-year deal for Roberto de Zerbi but the most pertinent piece of information is that there isn't a relegation release clause.
Given the situation Tottenham are in at the moment, one point and one place away the relegation zone, that's quite an important piece of detail.
From what I understand, De Zerbi is backing himself to keep the club up - but also, if the unthinkable does happen, he is all in to rebuild the team in the Championship.
Credit to him. He's got a big seven games ahead but he's in it for the long haul.
There is an understanding that what happens in the next seven games won't necessarily be De Zerbi's long-term body of work at Tottenham.
At the moment, it's needs must and there's not going to be the time to fit those tactical structures into his team. They need results and they need them immediately.
It's a case, for De Zerbi, of simply putting his arm around players and telling them they are actually good, international footballers and should not be in 17th place.
If he can get on the right side of them straight away and have them running through brick walls for him, then I think he's on to a winner because it's a great club and a global brand.
If he can get it right, then the sky is the limit.
Listen to the latest episode of BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds
Matt Spiro
French football expert
Image source, Getty ImagesMarseille fans felt both relief and regret when Roberto de Zerbi left midway through his second season.
Relief because the final weeks were desperately poor, but regret too because De Zerbi - a former ultra with immense passion - looked at times a perfect fit for the Mediterranean club.
His first year was promising: Marseille finished as runners-up and returned to the Champions League. A raft of new signings raised hopes, especially after a first home win over Paris St-Germain in 14 years and a six-goal rout of Le Havre sent them top.
Yet there was always a sense Marseille were just a couple of defeats from crisis. The squad almost imploded when Jonathan Rowe and Adrien Rabiot clashed in the dressing room, and De Zerbi's uncompromising style alienated certain players.
He infuriated observers by constantly changing systems and selections, leaving players bamboozled.
For the most part, De Zerbi lined up in a 4-2-3-1 and fans occasionally saw glimpses of the front-footed, attacking style he wanted to implement.
Yet Marseille's midfield pairing - usually Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Geoffrey Kondogbia - lacked the technical skills and mobility to perform in that system against stronger opposition. The defence would be left exposed, while the attack relied too heavily on individual exploits from Mason Greenwood and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
When a flagging Marseille crashed out of the Champions League, losing 3-0 to Club Brugge, reports emerged De Zerbi had lost the dressing room. A pitiful 5-0 defeat at PSG - the heaviest in Classique history - made his exit inevitable.
De Zerbi left with the highest win percentage of any Marseille coach this century (57%). That Igor Tudor (56%) ranks second suggests Spurs fans should treat that statistic with caution.
Image source, Getty ImagesHere are some more of your comments on Tottenham naming Roberto de Zerbi as their new head coach.
Bob: How many times have we fans heard that "Spurs only ever had one target in mind"? For once, this appears to be the right appointment for either scenario. If he keeps us up then that exceeds expectations. If we get relegated then he is the man to get us promoted quickly. But the biggest issue is going to be money. Will ENIC continue to put profit before the team? Hopefully it has learned a painful lesson. A successful Spurs side is profitable - a poor side is not.
Mark: I respect that he might be the right person from a footballing perspective from who is available now. I am hesitant, though, because off the pitch he is a very divisive character. All in all, I'd be surprised if he's still here for summer 2027.
David: Not what we need at the moment! Likes to play out from the back too much and this team can't.
Nick: I don't think he's the best manager in the world, nor one of the best in the Premier League. But if De Zerbi keeps us up and gets us better results, he'll be worth it. Can't see him lasting five years though...
Pete: I hope he can turn things around in seven games but it is a huge ask. As a Spurs fan of 60-plus years, I am worried, given that he didn't win any of his first five games at Brighton, till his system set in. We need it to click straight away.
Paul: Provided we stay up, next season should be exciting with a nucleus of good young players like Mikey Moore, Luka Vuskovic, Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall and Alfie Devine for De Zerbi to work with. However, if we get relegated we may need to sell some of them for financial reasons. The next seven games will dictate our prospects for the next seven years.
Chris: He has experience at the top level and we are desperate. What is more important is whether the present team have the character and fight to get themselves out of this. I was at the Forest game and the second half was a complete capitulation.
Hardcastlehotspur: Does De Zerbi have the knowledge and skill? Yes. Does he have a good record of taking on teams in our position? No. We should have opted for an ex-Spur in the interim and then brought Mauricio Pochettino back for next season.
Guillem Balague
BBC Sport columnist
Image source, Getty ImagesIt is well documented that Roberto de Zerbi's footballing DNA traces back to the Pep Guardiola tradition, but to leave it there would be restrictive. He has taken the principles - positional play, pressing triggers, control through the ball - and built his own beliefs around them.
There are a number of reasons why this appointment could work.
First, De Zerbi doesn't care what people think. He has a clear, unshakeable idea of how he wants to play football and at a club as chaotic as Tottenham right now, that kind of certainty is invaluable.
He has also never managed a club with no expectations and has always delivered under pressure. He knows what it means to have concrete targets and he knows how to meet them.
He brings the added benefit of knowing the Premier League and the timing of the likely appointment gives him scope for preparation. Spurs don't play again until 12 April and that gives him precious time to assess his squad.
Arriving during the international break gives De Zerbi precious days to begin assessing his squad.
The big concern here, though, is less about De Zerbi himself and more about whether those around him will have the discipline to align with his vision.
When that alignment has broken down in De Zerbi's career - when ownership or a director of football has pulled in a different direction - the project has quickly unravelled.
That is precisely what happened at Marseille. The football was often compelling, the city was behind him, but at decision-making level the relationship could not be sustained.
Tottenham have had their own well-documented structural difficulties. If De Zerbi is to thrive, the football operations around him must be stable, communicative and genuinely aligned to his way of working.
That is not a small ask for a club in the midst of a relegation battle.
