Tottenham are 8/15 to avoid relegation this season after handing Roberto De Zerbi the sizeable task of keeping them in the Premier League . The former Brighton boss takes charge on a five-year deal with Spurs , just one place and a single point above the drop zone after a 13-match winless run in England’s top tier.
De Zerbi, who led Marseille to second place in Ligue 1 last term but left the French outfit in February, 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.”
‘Complete focus’ on Premier League survival
He added: “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.” Tottenham struggled with Thomas Frank at the helm until February, and then Igor Tudor’s shambolic 44-day reign produced five defeats in seven matches. Alongside a catalogue of questionable tactical choices, he only picked up one point from five Premier League fixtures, increasing the realistic threat of a first relegation since 1977.
However, punters who expect De Zerbi to turn things around can get 6/5 for Spurs to win at least three of their remaining seven league matches. The 46-year-old will start off with a trip to Sunderland and faces further away games against Wolves , Aston Villa and Chelsea , while his former club Brighton , Leeds and Everton are scheduled to visit Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. It is 15/8 for Spurs to win just two of those fixtures, 3/1 they prevail only once and 11/1 for Tottenham not to claim victory again before the end of the current campaign.
Spurs delighted to land ‘number one target’
De Zerbi was viewed by Tottenham as both the best available short-term option and favoured long-term for his Premier League experience, tactical acumen and desire to play attacking football. Sporting director Johan Lange said: “ 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.” With regards to their finishing position, Spurs are 5/1 to climb as high as 15th, 10/3 to secure 16th place in the table, 6/4 to stay in 17th and 11/8 to fall to 18th.
Meanwhile, mischievous Arsenal fans can get 22/1 for the Gunners to win the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble, plus Tottenham to be relegated!
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