Roberto De Zerbi takes his first game in charge of Tottenham against Sunderland.
All eyes will be on the Stadium of Light on Sunday afternoon, as Roberto De Zerbi takes charge of his first game as Tottenham Hotspur head coach against Sunderland.
Roberto De Zerbi has replaced Igor Tudor at the helm following a run of just one win in seven games across all competitions. The club officials felt the time was right to make a change in the dugout during the March international break and pulled the plug on Tudor, whose last game in charge of Spurs was a 3-0 home defeat to relegation rivals Nottingham Forest.
The Italian was initially against joining the North London club due to their precarious position in the Premier League. Ultimately, he agreed, penning a lucrative five-year deal with no relegation clause. Faced with the tall task of keeping Spurs in the top flight with just seven games to go this season, De Zerbi will have to begin without several key members of his squad.
Roberto De Zerbi addresses Tottenham’s relegation concerns
De Zerbi will begin his Tottenham tenure with a trip to Sunderland. The Lilywhites sit 17th in the Premier League table, just one point above the relegation zone and staring down the barrel of a possible relegation.
Addressing his first press conference as Spurs boss, De Zerbi was asked whether he is confident he can keep the club in the Premier League. To which he responded (h/t Football London):
“Yes, yes. I knew before to work with them. I understood that they are good guys. The fans have to be happy, because all players are good guys. They are suffering from this difficult situation. I want to see (what they are like) in the game, because during the week it’s easier.
“But I think the voice inside the pitch has changed. I observed them at the beginning of my time last week, and now I’m more positive for sure.”
Tottenham in search of first league win of 2026
It is ridiculous to say that Spurs have gone more than four months without a Premier League win. The last time they tasted victory was against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in the final game of 2025. Since then, it has been a slog for the North Londoners, but things could finally change under De Zerbi.
The Italian has arrived with fresh energy, optimistic about Tottenham’s survival chances. He had just over 10 days to train with the new group and will be trying to keep things as simple as possible. It is a big test of the 46-year-old’s skills as he has not been involved in a relegation battle in his managerial career.
So, De Zerbi has a point to prove, and the best way to do it will be by beating Sunderland in Wearside.