Roberto De Zerbi has made it clear that his continued tenure at Tottenham Hotspur hinges on a shared vision with the club's hierarchy rather than the division in which the team ultimately competes. In his inaugural interview as a Spurs manager, following the signing of a five‑year deal, the Italian tactician asserted that he would remain "the coach of Tottenham next season no matter what" – a statement that sparked intense speculation about his commitment should the club drop into the Championship.
The backdrop to De Zerbi's remarks is a precarious season. After a narrow 1-0 defeat to Sunderland in his first league outing, Tottenham find themselves entrenched in the relegation zone, two points adrift of safety with six matches remaining.
They are also the only Premier League side that has yet to record a victory in the 2026 campaign, a statistic that adds further pressure to the manager's shoulders. Speaking exclusively with Sky Sports, De Zerbi dismissed the notion that a potential demotion would dictate his future. When asked whether he would stay on regardless of the club's league status, he replied, "The problem is not the league.
The problem is to keep the relationship with the board and to have the same ideas in the project." He emphasized that alignment across the organisation – from the owners to the coaching staff and the playing squad – is the decisive factor for him, not the tier in which Spurs find themselves. This philosophy mirrors the approach De Zerbi has applied at his previous appointments in Marseille and Brighton, where he insisted on total commitment from the club in order to implement his footballing principles. He believes that a manager can only thrive when the institution backs his methods wholeheartedly, whether that means investing heavily in a promotion‑winning squad or providing the resources needed to challenge for European places.
The upcoming summer transfer window will be a litmus test for this partnership. De Zerbi has already signalled that a substantial rebuild is inevitable, regardless of the final outcome of the season. If Tottenham manage to stay up, he envisions a squad capable of contending for a top‑six finish and re‑establishing the club among the Premier League elite.
If the club were to be relegated, he expects the board to back an ambitious recruitment drive designed to secure an immediate return to the top flight. In preparation for the crucial home fixture against his former side Brighton, De Zerbi organised a team dinner to foster camaraderie and to get to know his players on a more personal level. He admitted that his immediate priority is to understand the squad better each week, rather than dissecting the reasons behind the current struggles. "We have no time to lose," he told the press conference on Friday.
"We must focus on the next game, build confidence, and create a positive atmosphere." De Zerbi also spoke about the importance of character and leadership within the group. With captain Cristian Romero ruled out for the remainder of the season, the Spurs roster – already one of the youngest in the league – lacks a clear on‑field authority. The manager highlighted that leadership can take many forms: vocal figures in the dressing room, players who lead by example on the pitch, or those who step up in high‑pressure moments. He singled out Micky van de Ven, Rodrigo Bentancur, and João Palhinha as potential leaders, while urging Dominic Solanke to develop a stronger personality and character.
He also praised the young Xavi Simons for his composure when the ball is in his possession, noting that personality and mental toughness are as vital as technical skill. Analysts such as Callum Bishop have pointed out that Tottenham's lack of experienced heads could prove costly. With Romero sidelined, James Maddison still recovering, and the return dates for Dejan Kulusevski and Ben Davies uncertain, the club must rely on its youthful core to shoulder the responsibility of survival.
De Zerbi's challenge is to mould this raw talent into a cohesive unit that can deliver results under pressure. The next six fixtures represent a make‑or‑break period. A win against Brighton would at least lift Spurs out of the relegation zone temporarily, while subsequent games against West Ham, Crystal Palace, and other opponents will test the manager's ability to instill belief and resilience.
De Zerbi's emphasis on unity, shared purpose, and strong relationships with the board underscores his belief that these intangible factors will ultimately determine whether he remains at the helm, irrespective of the league Tottenham ultimately play in. In summary, Roberto De Zerbi has placed the onus on Tottenham Hotspur's leadership to align with his vision and to provide the necessary support, both financially and structurally. Whether the club secures its Premier League status or faces the challenges of the Championship, his continued presence will depend on that alignment, not the division itself. The coming weeks will reveal if the board and the squad can coalesce around his philosophy and steer the club away from the brink of relegation.