AliousNew Roberto De Zerbi will not have a relegation release clause in his Tottenham contract, as fresh details emerge about his agreement and what would happen if the club drops out of the Premier League, according to GIVEMESPORT sources.
Tottenham Hotspur have been working quickly to appoint a new manager following the departure of Igor Tudor by mutual consent on Sunday. His short 44-day spell saw the team collect just one point from a possible 15 in the Premier League.
The north London club identified De Zerbi as their leading candidate for both the immediate future and beyond the summer, prioritising him ahead of Mauricio Pochettino as they battle to avoid relegation in the final seven matches of the season.
Spurs had initially hoped to appoint the Italian earlier, even as a replacement for Thomas Frank, but timing proved an obstacle due to his recent exit from Olympique de Marseille.
The situation remains tense, with Tottenham just one point above West Ham United, who face Wolverhampton Wanderers soon. Spurs could find themselves in the relegation zone by the time they face Sunderland on April 12.
De Zerbi has now agreed to a five-year deal, and while there is no relegation clause — as also reported by BBC Sport — the contract does include a wage reduction should relegation occur.
Despite earlier speculation suggesting reluctance to manage in the Championship, this latest development signals strong commitment from both De Zerbi and the club. According to GIVEMESPORT, the former Brighton & Hove Albion boss is set to become the third highest-paid manager in the league, behind Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta.
Tottenham reportedly saw no need for a relegation clause, as their intention is to build a long-term project under De Zerbi rather than treat his appointment as a short-term fix. While the 46-year-old could technically negotiate an exit if the club is relegated, Spurs officials believe he would be open to managing in the second tier if required.
Further underlining his influence, De Zerbi is also expected to play a key role in selecting the club’s next sporting director — a responsibility that appealed to him as he looks to guide Tottenham back toward the upper end of the table after two difficult seasons.
With the deal set to be finalised, De Zerbi will soon begin work at Hotspur Way, aiming to steer Spurs to safety. Meanwhile, players currently away on international duty are expected to return to training later this week ahead of the crucial trip to the Stadium of Light.
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