Tottenham Hotspur have backed Roberto De Zerbi with his top targets this summer, but one former scout thinks the club may have done one thing to protect themselves if things go pear-shaped for the Italian.
There is a lot of optimism surrounding Spurs ahead of De Zerbi’s first full season in charge, with the 46-year-old having already become a hero among the fan base by saving the club from relegation.
The North London club have bet the house on the Italian’s vision, as they continue their summer spending spree, with the Lilywhites having completed almost a full rebuild in a single window.
De Zerbi has already admitted that a five-year plan is in place at Spurs and that he and the club’s hierarchy are on the same page, but one insider believes that the club have future-proofed themselves.
Tottenham insider claims Roberto De Zerbi will not receive a full payout if he is sacked
Spurs’ decision to hand the former Brighton boss a five-year deal back in April certainly raised some eyebrows, given his combustible nature.
Former Tottenham scout Bryan King believes that even though De Zerbi is contracted to the club until 2031, the Lilywhites would have inserted a clause that would allow them to avoid paying off his full contract if he is sacked sooner.
King told Football Insider: “There must be something in the contract. How long was his contract? Something silly. You can guarantee that if things do go pear-shaped, he isn’t going to get five years’ money,
“Because whoever gave him that contract, be it the football club, it all sounds very, very good. And five years, what are you going to say? £50m? £10m a year? Maybe with bonuses, £55-60m, that’s five years’ worth.
“As I say, if things go pear-shaped, he isn’t going to be getting that full contract. That is for sure. But he’ll be well looked after.”
Spurs are confident De Zerbi’s project will not be a brief one
However, the report from Football Insider suggests that despite adding a potential clause to avoid a payout, the North Londoners are confident that De Zerbi will last more than just a couple of years at the club.
The website claims that the Italian has been staunch on his views on strategy and direction, and the Spurs have followed his lead.
In fact, it is asserted that De Zerbi has played a direct hand in every single one of the signings the club have made so far.