Tottenham are close to announcing Roberto De Zerbi as their new head coach.
Sky Sports News understands talks between the club and the ex-Brighton boss went on through the night.
It is understood De Zerbi is the unanimous choice at board and ownership level, with Spurs’ executive team convinced he has the necessary credentials to make an instant impact.
De Zerbi is set to be tasked with saving Spurs from relegation after Igor Tudor failed to win a single Premier League game in a disastrous 44-day spell.
Last season’s Europa League winners sit one point above the bottom three with seven games to play.
The former Brighton boss will become Spurs’ third managerial appointment of the season – and his first game in charge is a trip to Sunderland in the Premier League on Sunday April 12, live on Sky Sports.
Spurs pushed hard to convince De Zerbi to take over before the summer, after the Italian had previously indicated he wanted to take a break when he left Marseille in February.
Several Spurs fan groups have urged the club to rethink appointing De Zerbi over his backing of Mason Greenwood when he was Marseille boss.
Former Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood, who has repeatedly put his name in the frame to take over, has told Sky Sports FC that De Zerbi is the perfect choice long-term – but only if he can keep Spurs in the Premier League.
“I love his personality and the way his teams play,” said the Sky Sports pundit. “But they can be open and can get hammered in some games – you can’t get hammered between now and the end of the season.
“[De Zerbi] wanted to have a break after Marseille in February, but why didn’t [Spurs] bring him in then? Why didn’t they bring him in before Igor Tudor? You’d have given him another seven games to go at, then I would’ve had total confidence that he would keep them in the league.”
Sunday 12th April 1:00pm
Kick off 2:00pm
