De Zerbi Says Tottenham Future Hinges On Board Relations Amid Relegation Battle

Roberto De Zerbi states Tottenham’s fight against Premier League relegation will not change contract plans, as long as club leadership and staff share the same long-term direction. The head coach commits to staying in north London next season, even if Spurs drop into the Championship.

The Italian signed a five-year deal when accepting the job, despite Tottenham’s difficult position near the bottom of the table. De Zerbi’s tenure starts with a loss, yet the coach stresses project stability and alignment with the board over short-term league status or immediate results.

Spurs are 18th after a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland and West Ham’s 4-0 win, leaving Tottenham two points from safety with six matches remaining. Opta’s supercomputer gives Spurs a 49.7% probability of relegation, underlining the scale of the challenge De Zerbi now manages.

Tottenham have failed to win any Premier League match in 2026, with a record of five draws and nine defeats. Stretching back to January, they have taken only one league victory from 26 fixtures, drawing seven and losing 18 across January, February, March, April and May.

De Zerbi’s first home match brings added narrative, as Tottenham host Brighton, the coach’s former club. Spurs have not beaten Brighton in three league meetings, with one draw and two defeats. Tottenham have also lost their last four fixtures at home, increasing anxiety among supporters.

Only one of the previous 13 Tottenham managers lost a first home league game in charge, though that defeat came recently when Igor Tudor’s side were beaten by Arsenal in February. De Zerbi now tries to avoid repeating that setback while also lifting Spurs out of the bottom three.

Asked on Sky Sports whether he will remain regardless of relegation, De Zerbi answered clearly: "The problem is not the league, De Zerbi told Sky Sports when asked if he will be at Spurs no matter what. The problem is to keep the relationship with the board and to have the same ideas in the project.Everyone on the same page."

Tottenham relegation fight, squad mentality and style

De Zerbi underlines that consistency of vision with decision-makers matters more than division status. The coach wants agreement on recruitment, style and development. If that unity holds, De Zerbi expects to continue leading Tottenham next season, whether preparing for Premier League survival attempts or a promotion campaign.

Spurs can climb out of the relegation zone with victory on Saturday, as West Ham’s next match comes on Monday at Crystal Palace. The gap is small, but De Zerbi warns there is limited time for analysis, and stresses urgency over reflection during this final stretch.

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In his pre-match press conference, De Zerbi described his immediate priorities and expectations for the squad. "I have to get to know my players better and better every week, he said during his pre-match press conference. We have no time to lose. We have no time to understand the problems we have this season. We have to be focused just on the next game. Transfer confidence. I can bring my philosophy of football. But also working to create a good atmosphere, a good relationship with the players. In this moment of football, the qualities of the players are important. But the spirit, the relationship between the players, is too. We have to feel everyone's responsibility in this situation. And we can't cry. We have to push to get out of this situation. We need players with personality and character. Otherwise, they don't play with me."

De Zerbi’s comments highlight a focus on mentality, togetherness and responsibility as Tottenham confront relegation pressure. While recent statistics show a long slump in league form, the coach insists shared ideas with the board and strong character within the squad can still keep Spurs on track for the wider project.