Roberto De Zerbi is the new Tottenham Hotspur manager and the club’s top brass wanted him over fan favourite Mauricio Pochettino.
Spurs have announced the former Brighton and Hove Albion manager is replacing Igor Tudor.
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Several members of the Lewis family believed that De Zerbi, who signs a five-year deal at Spurs, was a better option than Pochettino because it represents a different direction from former chairman Daniel Levy.
Levy is still part owner at Spurs, but he is no longer involved in the day-to-day running of the club.
Pochettino was appointed by Levy initially from Southampton in 2014, leading to Spurs becoming a real force in the Premier League and Europe despite never winning anything.
Should they stave off relegation, a return for the Argentine would have proved popular with the club’s fans. But De Zerbi is the man Spurs have gone for.
talkSPORT understands the 46-year-old rejected Tottenham initially due to the fear he would have limited control under Levy and Fabio Paratici.
But the younger members of the Lewis family are prepared to give De Zerbi a bit more autonomy working with CEO Vinai Venkatesham and sporting director Johan Lange.
This is likely to include some say on future executive hires, and if all goes to plan, he will be allowed to expand his backroom staff as well.
talkSPORT understands that De Zerbi will be encouraged to change the club’s culture.
It is the third time that Tottenham have tried to appoint the former Marseille boss as well.
The first time was before Thomas Frank’s appointment, but he said no before the club tried again once they’d sacked Frank. However, that was too soon following his own departure from Marseille, so Tudor was drafted in.
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No relegation clause
To show that Tottenham and De Zerbi are committed to the long-term project, talkSPORT understands there is no relegation clause in his deal.
There is a pay cut clause in the deal, which would come into play should Spurs plunge into the Championship.
The two could agree to mutually part ways, but there is nothing in writing to protect either party in event of demotion from the Premier League.
If De Zerbi does decide to leave, should he not be able to keep the club in the top-flight, then the Italian would essentially have to pay himself out of his contract.
But judging from his first words, leaving isn’t on his mind as he told the club’s website: “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.
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“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.”
Club’s view
From Tottenham’s point of view, they are delighted to get someone they have pursued for a long time.
Sporting director Lange said to the club’s website: “Roberto was our number one target for the summer and we are very pleased to be able to bring him in now.
“He is one of the most creative and forward-thinking coaches in world football, and brings with him a wealth of experience at the highest level, including in the Premier League.”
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De Zerbi now has nearly two weeks to prepare Tottenham for their first game under him at the Stadium of Light against Sunderland.
A game where they could be in the relegation zone by kick-off shoulkd results go against them.
Fans’ view
However, the appointment of De Zerbi has drawn criticism from fans group Women of the Lane.
On Sunday, before De Zerbi was confirmed as Spurs manager, they released a statement condemning the potential arrival of the Italian.
This is due to comments he made about Mason Greenwood while managing the player at Marseille.
They said: “Tottenham Hotspur claims to be a club that prides itself on being inclusive, supportive and safe.
“As a group committed to promoting and amplifying this culture, in the belief this will create the best environment and atmosphere to enjoy football, we’re extremely disappointed and dismayed by the publicised pursuit of Roberto De Zerbi.
“De Zerbi is not the kind of person we want associated with our club or representing us. No to De Zerbi.”
