De Zerbi committed to remaining at Tottenham regardless of circumstances

Roberto De Zerbi, the newly appointed Tottenham boss, has confirmed his commitment to the club, stating that he will remain at the helm next season regardless of whether the team suffers relegation from the Premier League, as he embarks on the most significant challenge of his career.

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De Zerbi's appointment on a five-year deal was announced on Tuesday, with Tottenham precariously positioned just one point above the drop zone, leaving him with only seven games to attempt to save the team from relegation, a fate they have not faced since 1978.

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Initially, reports suggested that De Zerbi was hesitant to join Tottenham before the end of the season, but he was ultimately swayed by a lucrative five-year deal that places him among the highest-paid coaches in the Premier League.

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De Zerbi has dismissed speculation about a clause in his contract that would allow him to leave the club if they are relegated, stating, "I signed a five-year contract because, for me, it is a big challenge," and affirming his commitment to the team, "I will be the coach of Tottenham next season, no matter what."

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De Zerbi has established a positive reputation in England, particularly during his two-year tenure as Brighton boss from 2022 to 2024, and his time at Marseille, where the club finished second to Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1 last season, earning a Champions League spot.

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However, his tenure at Marseille was cut short in February after the team failed to advance from the Champions League group stage and suffered a humiliating 5-0 defeat to PSG.

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De Zerbi's appointment has not been universally welcomed by Tottenham fans, with some groups objecting to his support for Mason Greenwood during his time at Marseille, following allegations of attempted rape and sexual assault against the former England international.

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Prosecutors dropped the charges against Greenwood in February 2023, and he joined Marseille in July 2024, with De Zerbi stating, "I've never wanted to downplay the issue of violence against women or violence against anyone in general," and expressing regret if his stance on the matter has caused offense.

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De Zerbi, speaking in his native Italian, emphasized his sensitivity to the issue, citing his role as a father and his commitment to not compromising his values for the sake of winning, and hoping that, over time, people will come to understand his position and intentions.