Spurs fans are a surly bunch. Just look at their reaction to the appointment of new manager Roberto De Zerbi. So much negativity, gaslighting and bad vibes.
But honestly, they should be thanking their lucky stars that a manager of his caliber agreed to take the most thankless job in England as the Premier League enters its final stretch.
How Spurs Got Here
Alternative header: How To Eat Your Own Poop Sandwich.
After capturing the Europa League trophy in one of the dullest finals in the 21st century, they still finished the 24/25 campaign in 17th place. No bother, though. They threw Big Ange, his Aussie candor, and his go-go pressing style, out on his arse after the season. The much loathed chairman Daniel Levy also slipped out the service exit to much less fanfare.
Tottenham’s executive “brain trust” made what many thought was a shrewd decision, luring Danish manager Thomas Frank (and most of his staff) away from Brentford. Frank’s seven season tenure with the Bees saw them rise up from the Championship and ensconce themselves as Premier League regulars, all on a shoestring budget. Lips smacked and visions of sugarplums danced in the dreams of Spurs fans who saw the Dane leading them into the rarified air of the PL table.
Of course, that didn’t happen.
Perhaps expectations were too high. Perhaps they were unrealistic. Or maybe Frank just wasn’t the right fit. So they sacked him in February, 2026, after his eighth league match without a win. Never mind he’d led them to a Top 8 finish in Champions League; a 16th place position and staring into the abyss of relegation was enough.
A Tudor Blip
Enter Igor Tudor. The less said about the taciturn Croat the better; his stats speak for themselves. In his seven games in charge, Spurs lost five, drew one and their solitary win was a pyrrhic 3-2 victory over Atlético Madrid who took the tie 8-4 on aggregate.
Why De Zerbi Works
- He Wins
- Simple fact: Spurs needs points. De Zerbi gets points.
- In his three managerial positions prior to Spurs (Shakhtar Donetsk, Brighton, Marseille) he averaged a 55.3% winning percentage.
- His win percentage is higher than Mauricio Pochettino (54.3%), José Mourinho (51.2%) and Antonio Conte (53.9%).
- Factoring in draws, De Zerbi’s teams get a point in 71.3% of matches.
- Based on that history, Spurs could expect to win 3 and draw 2 of their next 7. That gives them 11 points, putting them at 41 and almost guaranteed safety.
- In his three managerial positions prior to Spurs (Shakhtar Donetsk, Brighton, Marseille) he averaged a 55.3% winning percentage.
- Simple fact: Spurs needs points. De Zerbi gets points.
- He’s Committed
- De Zerbi took this job knowing relegation is a reality. He’s promised to stick around if they drop.
- You’d be hard-pressed to find a manager better qualified to bring Tottenham right back up to the top, if the unthinkable happens.
- He’s Familiar
- Dither all you want about if his percentages are in “easier leagues.” De Zerbi knows the Premier League, having spent 89 games with Brighton.
So quit your whinging Spurs fans. You got a manager you certainly don’t deserve, and with his appointment might just avoid a relegation you almost certainly do.
