PL Highest-Paid Managers: De Zerbi at Tottenham 2026

Key Points

• Tottenham Hotspur, currently facing relegation with seven games remaining, have sacked head coach Igor Tudor after just 44 days and seven games, during which he earned only one Premier League point.
• The club is in advanced talks with Roberto De Zerbi, the former Brighton, Marseille, and Olympiacos manager, to take over immediately as permanent head coach.
• De Zerbi, who left Marseille by mutual consent in February 2026 following a 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain and strained player relations, is open to the move despite initial preference for a summer start.
• Tottenham are offering De Zerbi a five-year contract with an annual salary around £12-15 million, positioning him as the third-highest paid Premier League manager behind Pep Guardiola (£20m+) and Mikel Arteta (£15m), ahead of managers like Unai Emery (£8-10m) and Arne Slot (£8m).
• The deal includes a “massive survival bonus” if Spurs avoid relegation, plus clauses reducing salary in case of relegation to the Championship, with discussions ongoing about immediate takeover from interim pressures.
• Current Premier League salary leaders: Pep Guardiola (Manchester City, $25.9m/£20m+), Mikel Arteta (Arsenal, $16.8m/£15m), David Moyes (Everton, $16.2m), Unai Emery (Aston Villa, $10.4m), Ruben Amorim (Man Utd, $8.4m).
• Tottenham sit one point above the relegation zone after a 3-0 home loss to Nottingham Forest; previous managers this season included Ange Postecoglou and Thomas Frank before Tudor.
• De Zerbi has been linked to Manchester United and Liverpool but is intrigued by Tottenham’s project if they stay up; Spurs rejected a relegation escape clause initially.

(North London News) March 31, 2026 – Tottenham Hotspur are poised to offer Roberto De Zerbi one of the Premier League’s most lucrative managerial contracts amid their desperate battle against relegation, potentially ranking him third among the division’s highest-paid bosses.

The 46-year-old Italian, currently without a club since his February departure from Marseille, has held advanced talks with the Spurs hierarchy following the mutual sacking of Igor Tudor on Sunday after just 44 days in charge. Tudor, appointed as successor to Thomas Frank on February 13, managed only one Premier League point from five games, including a 1-1 draw with Liverpool, and oversaw a Champions League last-16 exit to Atletico Madrid on a 7-5 aggregate.

As reported by Graeme Bailey of TEAMtalk, De Zerbi has agreed in principle to take over immediately, with final details like contract clauses being ironed out.

Spurs, languishing one point above the bottom three with seven matches left after a humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest, view De Zerbi as their top target over alternatives like Mauricio Pochettino, who is committed to the USA ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Who Are the Premier League’s Highest-Paid Managers?

Pep Guardiola remains the undisputed leader, earning approximately £20 million ($25.9 million) annually at Manchester City, bolstered by his trophy haul including multiple Premier League titles. Mikel Arteta follows closely at Arsenal with £15 million ($16.8 million) per year, following a September extension that nearly doubled his pay after transforming the Gunners into title contenders.

David Moyes ranks third at Everton with $16.2 million, having returned to the club he managed from 2002-2013 and securing a deal until 2027 amid four wins in recent games. Unai Emery earns $10.4 million at Aston Villa, guiding them to Champions League qualification for the first time in 41 years.

Other notables include Ruben Amorim (£8.4 million at Manchester United), Arne Slot (£8 million at Liverpool), and lower down, managers like Thomas Frank (previously at Tottenham, now £5.8 million at Brentford) and Eddie Howe (£5.2 million at Newcastle).

As detailed in Front Office Sports’ March 25, 2025, ranking (updated for 2026 context), only three top-20 earners have zero trophies, underscoring how silverware drives pay.

What Salary Is Tottenham Offering Roberto De Zerbi?

Tottenham are dangling a “sky-high” package to lure De Zerbi mid-season, including a five-year deal worth £12 million annually, potentially rising to £15 million with bonuses, placing him third behind only Guardiola and Arteta. According to talkSPORT, as cited by TEAMtalk’s Graeme Bailey, this eclipses Arne Slot’s £8 million at champions Liverpool and includes a “massive survival bonus” should Spurs stay up.

Sky in Italy reports that De Zerbi, initially hesitant for a pre-summer move, is now open after Spurs’ persistent Monday discussions. A Vietnam football outlet notes the 54-year-old (noting age variance in reports) would claim second spot behind Guardiola at £12m, though consensus leans third.

Where Would De Zerbi Rank Among Premier League Managers?

De Zerbi’s proposed £12-15m would vault him above Unai Emery (£8-10m), Ruben Amorim (£8.4m), and Arne Slot (£8m), slotting him third overall. This surpasses even David Moyes’ $16.2m in some GBP conversions, but standard rankings confirm Guardiola first, Arteta second.

Front Office Sports’ full top-20 lists further earners like Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace, $5.8m) down to Andoni Iraola (Bournemouth, $1.3m), highlighting De Zerbi’s elite positioning.

Why Did Tottenham Sack Igor Tudor So Soon?

Igor Tudor lasted 44 days, sacked mutually after no Premier League wins in five games (one draw, four losses), per Tottenham’s official statement:

“We can confirm that it has been mutually agreed for Head Coach Igor Tudor to leave the Club with immediate effect.”

Sky Sports notes his six-week stint replaced Thomas Frank in February, amid a winless run since December 28.

Fox Sports reports Tudor’s dismal spell included the Forest loss, leaving Spurs

“perched just one place and solitary point above the drop zone.”

Goalkeeping coach Tomislav Rogic and physical coach Riccardo Ragnacci also departed.

What Is Roberto De Zerbi’s Managerial Background?

De Zerbi shone at Brighton before Marseille, where relations soured post a 5-0 PSG thrashing and Champions League exit to Club Brugge, leading to mutual consent exit. BBC Sport confirms:

“Roberto de Zerbi has left his role as manager of Marseille by mutual consent.”

ESPN sources say initial talks focused on summer, but Tudor’s exit accelerated needs. The Telegraph, per Fox Sports, discussed permanent role with relegation caveats, which Spurs resisted initially.

Will De Zerbi Take the Tottenham Job Immediately?

Yes, per multiple outlets: Sky in Italy states he is “open to joining Tottenham as their new head coach immediately,” with Spurs pushing hard post-Monday talks. ESPN affirms:

“Tottenham are pushing to convince Roberto De Zerbi to become their new manager before the end of the season.”

TEAMtalk’s Fraser Fletcher and Graeme Bailey note De Zerbi prefers the project if survival achieved, rejecting Man Utd/Liverpool links for now. Vietnam reports hesitation overcome by salary allure.

What Are the Relegation Risks and Contract Clauses?

Talks hinge on survival; The Times reports a potential clause allowing De Zerbi to leave if relegated, though Spurs have reservations. talkSPORT adds salary reduction if he stays in Championship:

“De Zerbi’s contract is expected to contain relegation clauses meaning his wages will reduce if they go down.”

Fox Sports notes: “any potential deal hinges entirely on a massive caveat: Spurs must successfully fight off relegation.” With seven games left, pressure mounts.

How Does This Fit Tottenham’s Turbulent Season?

This marks Spurs’ third managerial change this season: Postecoglou (sacked earlier), Frank (on the brink per sightings), then Tudor. Football.london spotted ex-boss Postecoglou in London amid Frank’s woes post-Aston Villa FA Cup exit.

Goal.com warns De Zerbi as “self-destructive” choice for relegation fight, citing fan betrayal risks. Yet, financial incentives make it compelling.