Tottenham Hotspur are poised to confirm Roberto De Zerbi as their new head coach, a move Sky Sports understands is imminent. The ex-Brighton manager has secured a long-term contract, reportedly worth up to five years, and is the unanimous choice of the club's board and ownership. This appointment follows Igor Tudor's disastrous 44-day tenure, where he failed to win a single Premier League game, leaving Spurs perilously close to relegation. With just seven games remaining, the club sits one point above the bottom three. De Zerbi's first match in charge will be against Sunderland on April 12th, live on Sky Sports.

De Zerbi's hiring represents a significant gamble for Tottenham. While praised for his innovative tactics and personality, his tenure at Marseille was marked by instability, including threats to quit and player disputes. His appointment comes after Spurs pushed hard to secure him before the summer, despite his previous indication he wanted a break after leaving Marseille. Fans have expressed concern over his backing of Mason Greenwood during his time at the French club. Former Spurs manager Tim Sherwood acknowledges De Zerbi's long-term potential but emphasizes the immediate need to avoid relegation.

The Italian coach faces an immediate challenge: starting wins to secure Premier League survival. His first game at Sunderland could see them both battling relegation. While De Zerbi offers a stark contrast to Tudor's pragmatism, his style requires time to implement, a luxury Spurs cannot afford. His success hinges on transforming a squad lacking key players like Harry Kane and Son Heung-min into a winning unit quickly enough to save the club from the drop.