(Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media, Imago)

Callum O'Connell

Fri 3 April 2026 12:30, UK

Follow us on Google Discover

Tottenham Hotspur are facing increasing criticism over their decision to hire Roberto De Zerbi as they scramble for survival in the Premier League.

Spurs’ decision-makers had already been under pressure after both Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor failed to impress, but large sections of the supporters have grown frustrated.

Alongside the immediate concerns about whether he will be able to turn around their form, having previously endured slow starts, the five-year deal is also a worry.

Reports say De Zerbi is now one of the highest-paid managers in the Premier League, but with a history of clashing with owners, there are concerns things may not go to plan.

Former Spurs scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that serious questions need to be asked of Lange and the higher-ups after Tottenham’s latest managerial appointment.

Tottenham chiefs under pressure

Brown told Football Insider on 9 March that Lange is under pressure at Tottenham after a number of poor decisions which have led to this disastrous season.

De Zerbi’s arrival is the latest call which has piled pressure on the sporting director and the rest of the Spurs board, with serious questions now being asked.

Regardless of whether they remain in the Premier League, many of the club’s chief decision-makers are facing scrutiny over their positions and contributions.

“Tottenham are in a very precarious position at the bottom of the table,” Brown told Football Insider.

“They needed to get a new manager in, and De Zerbi ultimately is the one they’ve gone with, but the situation has been a shambles from start to finish.

“For a club the size of Tottenham, some of the decisions they make are a disaster, and people are going to start looking at the people who make the decisions.

“There’s only so much blame you can put on the managers before you start to realise, hang on a second, they’re not the only problem there.

“You have to look at who is making these appointments, who is bringing these managers in who eventually don’t work and then hiding behind them when things go wrong.

“Johan Lange, the sporting director, and the other decision-makers at Tottenham have proved time and time again that they cannot get these decisions right.

“Now they’ve given De Zerbi this big new contract, knowing his track record at his other clubs and knowing that they’re at huge risk of getting relegated.

“It’s bizarre, from top to bottom at Spurs there are some terrible decisions made and they’re the ones who should be, and are now being, questioned.”

Why did Tottenham appoint De Zerbi?

Football Insider revealed in February that De Zerbi was the leading candidate for Tottenham and remains highly regarded despite his departure from Marseille.

While his early departure from the French giants remains a concern for some, his availability was seen as a boost to Tottenham due to their immediate need for a manager.

After failing with the interim appointment of Tudor, the club were forced to accelerate plans to land a permanent hire which had previously been lined up for the summer.

Spurs’ interest also came largely due to his Premier League experience with Brighton and the style of play he implemented which drew high praise at the Amex.

While there were a number of alternative candidates on their list of targets, De Zerbi’s willingness to step straight in after their contract offer made him the top target.