No relegation release clause as Spurs appoint Roberto De Zerbi on five-year deal

SHOW YOUR SPURS: Roberto De Zerbi is Tottenham’s new head coach (Steven Paston/PA)

Roberto De Zerbi has been confirmed as Tottenham’s new head coach on a five-year deal, but no relegation release clause has been included in his contract.

Spurs parted company with Igor Tudor on Sunday afternoon after five defeats in seven matches during a shambolic 44-day reign and immediately set their sights on trying to lure number one summer target De Zerbi to join mid-season.

After days of negotiations given De Zerbi’s initial preference to assess his options in the summer, the 46-year-old accepted Tottenham’s proposal and despite relegation being a realistic prospect with seven matches of a terrible Premier League campaign left, the Press Association understands no relegation clause has been included.

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi as our new Men’s Head Coach on a long-term contract, subject to work permit.

🔗 https://t.co/DtXe0YJSlr pic.twitter.com/64tybrOhmr

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) March 31, 2026

De Zerbi said: “I am delighted to be joining this fantastic football club, which is one of the biggest and most prestigious in the world.

“In all my discussions with the club’s leadership, their ambition for the future has been clear – to build a team capable of reaching great achievements, and to do that playing a style of football that excites and inspires our supporters. I am here because I believe in that ambition and have signed a long-term contract to give everything to deliver it.

“Our short-term priority is to climb the Premier League table, which will be the complete focus until the final whistle of the last game of the season. I’m looking forward to getting out on the training pitch and working with these players to achieve that.”