Roberto De Zerbi’s Tottenham future is not currently under immediate threat despite the club’s winless start to the Premier League season, senior football correspondent Ben Jacobs has said.
Speaking on the GiveMeSport Market Madness podcast, Jacobs indicated that Tottenham’s hierarchy remains calm, with De Zerbi still regarded as part of a long-term project. However, he warned that results must improve quickly.
Tottenham maintain long-term plans for Roberto De Zerbi
“Roberto De Zerbi joined on a long-term project and my feeling with Tottenham is there’s not really a sporting infrastructure in place to make a decision,” Jacobs said.
He added: “If these results continue, all these well-run clubs have to think about a succession plan. I’m not expecting a surprise departure in the international break, but he will know results need to improve quickly.”
Jacobs said Tottenham were also concentrating on their structure behind the scenes, including the possibility of appointing another senior sporting figure.
“Behind the scenes at Tottenham they are relatively calm and I’m still told the intent is to explore whether another sporting official, a co-sporting director or some form of senior executive is necessary,” he said.
“Maybe only after they find that name in whatever capacity will they start to understand if they need to assess Roberto De Zerbi.”
Tottenham’s difficult start
The pressure on De Zerbi follows a poor opening to the campaign despite Tottenham spending more than £300 million on 10 new arrivals during the summer.
Spurs have taken just two points from their first five Premier League matches, with two draws and three defeats. They have scored twice and conceded eight goals, most recently losing 3-2 at home to Aston Villa.
Tottenham have also been eliminated from the League Cup after a 3-1 defeat by Liverpool. Their next match is against Manchester United at Old Trafford after the international break.
De Zerbi has maintained that it is only a matter of time before Tottenham begin scoring and winning, while Unai Emery has backed the former Brighton manager to succeed and predicted that Spurs will finish in the top four.
