'Strange' - Industry expert finds details in De Zerbi's Tottenham contract 'Astonishing'
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Wed 1 April 2026 11:00, UK Roberto De Zerbi has been handed everything he asked for in negotiations over his contract to become Tottenham Hotspur’s new manager.That is the view of former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who called De Zerbi’s contract at Spurs “astonishing.”The 46-year-old has signed a five-year deal, with no relegation release clause inserted if the north London club do suffer relegation to the Championship.De Zerbi was Spurs’ number one target for the job, though there were doubts over whether he would take the position in such cirumstances.Spurs sacked Igor Tudor with the club just a point above the Premier League relegation zone, meaning De Zerbi is left with seven matches to preserve the club’s top flight status. 📋 Tottenham Hotspur Manager News 📋 Get the inside track on the Spurs dugout with real-time updates on shortlisted candidates, live betting market shifts, and key boardroom decisions. VISIT THE MANAGER HUB MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Tottenham have ‘rolled over’ in Roberto De Zerbi negotiationsEverton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – states that De Zerbi will not have the time this season to implement his playing style at Spurs.Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness thinks that Spurs “lost control” when hiring De Zerbi.Games Managed70Games Won26Games Drawn19Games Lost25Roberto De Zerbi’s managerial record in the Premier League at former club Brighton.He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I did say that De Zerbi, if he’s not going to come now, then why would you really want him?
He’s a bit of a fiery character and there was acrimony in the way he left Brighton. I just worry if he’s going to try and impose a style.
He’s got to get hands on, do whatever he can in the next few games and then focus on the off-season about trying to introduce a style if he can do, and then he’ll be in a very strong position to leverage the Spurs owners into giving him assistance. But De Zerbi, the jury’s out very much on this one.”Expert predicts bleak start to De Zerbi reignDe Zerbi’s first game in charge of Spurs will be away at Sunderland, with the club not in FA Cup quarter-final action.Wyness has previously told Football Insider that he believes Spurs will not win at Sunderland, and their season could come down to the final day against Everton.Belief is in short supply amongst the fanbase, and De Zerbi needs to end Spurs’ 13-game winless run in the Premier League quickly, especially as West Ham’s next game is against bottom club Wolves.A reunion with former club Brighton will then await De Zerbi in his first home match in charge, with Spurs having only picked up 10 points at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium all season.