ไทย
English
中國人
In a bid to attract the polarizing Roberto De Zerbi to north London, Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly weighing up the possibility of offering the outspoken Italian manager a contract containing a release clause that would be triggered in the event of the club's relegation.
De Zerbi's name had already been circulating as a possible candidate before Igor Tudor's troubled interim spell was finally brought to an end. Now that the Croatian manager has officially departed the club, attention has shifted even more sharply toward identifying his replacement.
It is understood that De Zerbi harbored reservations about inheriting a side sitting dangerously close to the relegation zone. In an effort to address those concerns, discussions have reportedly taken place regarding the inclusion of a release clause in the former Brighton and Marseille manager's contract — one that would allow another club to sign him away from Spurs should the team be relegated under his management, according to The Times.
De Zerbi is said to be "open" to the prospect of taking charge at Tottenham, but only once another manager has successfully steered the club clear of relegation, BBC Sport reports following Tudor's departure. Whether this release clause option will ultimately be put on the table — and whether it will be accepted — remains to be seen.
Tottenham's next fixture is not until April 12, when they make the trip to Sunderland for the first of their seven remaining Premier League games. The club are said to want their incoming manager — who would be the third of the season — to have a minimum of 10 days to prepare ahead of that match.
Even setting aside this highly unconventional release clause proposal, the prospect of De Zerbi's appointment has already provoked a significant backlash among the Spurs supporter base.
Why Tottenham Fans Are Protesting Against Potential De Zerbi Appointment
Several Tottenham supporter groups have united to urge the club not to appoint De Zerbi, citing his public backing of controversial forward Mason Greenwood during their time together at Marseille.
The former Manchester United winger never featured for the Premier League club again after his arrest in January 2022. He subsequently faced accusations of attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Greenwood denied all of the allegations.
The U.K. Crown Prosecution Service dropped all charges in February 2023, stating that "a combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction," according to a spokesperson who spoke to the BBC.
Manchester United then carried out an internal investigation that concluded in August 2023. The club stated at that time: "Mason did not commit the offences in respect of which he was originally charged." Nevertheless, it was determined that he would not represent United again. "As Mason publicly acknowledges today," a statement released then read, "he has made mistakes which he is taking responsibility for."
Greenwood spent the 2023–24 campaign on loan at Spanish club Getafe before completing a permanent move to De Zerbi's Marseille in July 2024.
The 'No to De Zerbi' Campaign
No to De Zerbi pic.twitter.com/7cApCu4QmB
Prior to Greenwood's official signing for Marseille, De Zerbi had pledged to stand up publicly for all of his players "like [they were] my sons." Earlier this season, the Italian coach referred to the forward as "a good person," adding: "It saddens me what happened to him because I know a very different person from the one portrayed in England."
These remarks are among the key factors that have fueled the 'No to De Zerbi' campaign launched by a section of Spurs supporters.
The Proud Lilywhites group, Women of the Lane and Spurs Reach all issued statements condemning De Zerbi's defense of Greenwood.
"When someone in that position publicly defends a player like Mason Greenwood, and frames it in a way that downplays the seriousness of what happened, it matters, not just in isolation but in what it signals," The Proud Lilywhites group wrote.
Women of the Lane accused De Zerbi of making statements that "downplay the seriousness of male violence against women and girls. That raises serious questions about judgement and leadership." Spurs Reach argued: "Regardless of intent, framing of this nature risks normalising harmful attitudes, diminishing the experiences of survivors, and sending a deeply concerning message about what is tolerated within the game."