ROBERTO DE ZERBI is set to become the Premier League’s second best-paid manager after signing his bumper Spurs contract.
The Italian tactician was confirmed as the side’s new manager on Tuesday, arriving on a long-term deal to replace the outgoing Igor Tudor.
And the 17th-placed side have spared no expense in bringing him to the club, with the 46-year-old set to earn a staggering £12million-a-year.
That figure would make him the second-highest earner in the Premier League, only after Pep Guardiola‘s £20m salary.
That means De Zerbi will be on more than title hopeful Mikel Arteta earns at Arsenal, reported to be £10m-a-year, despite 16 Prem spots separating the pair.
Unai Emery, like his Aston Villa side, is on the fringe of the top four rankings, with £8m-a-year, outdoing Arne Slot‘s £6.6m salary, on which he delivered a Premier League title last season.
Newcastle‘s Eddie Howe rounds out the top six earners on half the salary that De Zerbi is set to make, £6m-a-year.
Everton and ex-West Ham boss David Moyes comes in seventh with £5m-a-year, outdoing his former side’s new man Nuno Espirito Santo on £4.5m.
And rounding out the top ten are a pair of West Londoners in Marco Silva and Liam Rosenior, both reported to be earning a third of De Zerbi’s new wage at £4m-a-year.
Between a five-year commitment and the Italian’s monstrous wages, Spurs have taken a big gamble committing so heavily to their new man.
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But having already churned through two managers this season, and with their situation at the bottom of the table getting desperate, it is not surprising that it took a hefty fee to coax the talent to North London.
The measures to convince De Zerbi include the absence of a clause in the event that Spurs find themselves in the Championship next season.
The show of trust in the former Brighton boss’ long-term abilities is made all the more surprising considering he has never spent more than three years at a single club.
De Zerbi most recently managed at Marseille in France, but left his role in February after a downturn in form.
That departure came on the same day that Thomas Frank left his post as Spurs boss, with the club soon testing the waters as to whether he could fill in in N17.
De Zerbi rebutted those approaches at the time in favour of a break from management, but the lucrative deal tabled by Spurs was enough to get his signature in the end.
However, his new chapter is off to a rocky start, as sections of the Tottenham fanbase launched protests regarding the appointment based on De Zerbi’s comments on Mason Greenwood.
Striker Greenwood had charges of attempted rape and assault against him dropped in 2023.
He then played under De Zerbi at Marseille, with the boss publicly defending his character.
Multiple fan groups have led protests against his appointment – titled “No to De Zerbi.”
But the club hierarchy clearly feel that he is the man to stick with in order to pull the side from the grasp of their relegation battle.
Spurs chief Johan Lange said: “Roberto was our No 1 target for the summer and we’re pleased to be able to bring him in now.
“He is one of the most creative and forward-thinking coaches in world football.”
