The Japan Times - De Zerbi vows to save troubled Spurs from relegation

Former Marseille boss De Zerbi has been hired to stop Tottenham descending into the second tier for the first time since 1977-78.

He arrives with the spluttering north London club languishing just one point above the relegation zone with only seven games left to avoid the drop.

De Zerbi replaced interim boss Igor Tudor, who was sacked during the recent international break after failing to win any of his five league matches.

Tottenham have not won a league game in 2026, but De Zerbi is convinced that they can still stay up.

"Yes. I'm sure about the level of the players because many players in the past I was close to bringing them to my former teams," he told reporters on Friday.

"The voice inside of the pitch is changing. Now I'm more positive for sure."

Tottenham have failed to win their last 13 league games, including a dismal 3-0 home defeat against relegation rivals Nottingham Forest in their last match before Tudor's exit.

With fans growing increasingly antagonistic about their club's plight, De Zerbi was asked why he accepted the thankless task of saving Tottenham.

"Why now? Because it depends on the angle how you look at the situation. For me, it was a big opportunity because Tottenham are a very important club in the Premier League and the Premier League is the best league in the world," he said.

"The message for my staff and players, we have to deserve their support because the fans are suffering like us.

"The players can change but for the fans it's unique, (it's) their club. We have to make them happy with the right spirit and the right behaviour on the pitch. Then it's easier to make points."

De Zerbi has prior experience of managing in the Premier League after a largely successful spell with Brighton.

But he was less impressive during his Marseille reign, which ended in his departure by mutual consent in February.

De Zerbi is Tottenham's third manager this season after Tudor and Thomas Frank, who was axed in his first campaign since joining from Brentford to replace the sacked Ange Postecoglou last year.

Insisting he will remain at Tottenham even if they plunge into the Championship, De Zerbi said: "If I sign my contract in April, I have to be ready to stay no matter what next season.

"I am not better than Thomas Frank or Igor Tudor, I try to bring my style and myself, my character, my personality and my strengths. In my plan for sure, the idea is to stay for a long time.

"I'm not speaking about titles, but to put Tottenham to stay in a position in the Premier League because they are all parts to reach that level."

T.Shimizu--JT