Roberto De Zerbi Wins Premier League Manager Award in London 2026

Key Points

• Tottenham Hotspur head coach Roberto De Zerbi has won the Barclays Premier League Manager of the Month award for October 2026.
• The Italian manager oversaw an unbeaten month consisting of three consecutive victories and one draw, lifting Tottenham out of the relegation zone and into 11th place on 12 points.
• De Zerbi credited his players and club staff for the turnaround following a five-match winless start to the 2026–27 campaign.
• This marks the first time De Zerbi has claimed the accolade in his career, and he is the first Spurs manager to win it since Ange Postecoglou in October 2023.
• De Zerbi beat five rival nominees—Mikel Arteta, Unai Emery, Xabi Alonso, Marco Rose, and Fabian Hurzeler—after public votes were combined with those of a football experts’ panel.

Tottenham Hotspur (North London News) November 13, 2026 – Tottenham Hotspur head coach Roberto De Zerbi has officially been named the Barclays Premier League Manager of the Month for October 2026, earning the distinction for the first time in his managerial career after guiding his side through an unbeaten four-match run that lifted the North London club out of the relegation zone and into 11th place on 12 points.

How Did Tottenham Hotspur Turn Around Their 2026–27 League Campaign?

Entering October without a single league victory from their opening five fixtures and sitting at the foot of the Premier League table, Tottenham Hotspur engineered a decisive reversal in form under De Zerbi’s guidance. As reported by the official Tottenham Hotspur website, the turnaround began with a 1-1 away draw against Manchester United, where Spurs recovered from both a one-goal deficit and a numerical disadvantage to secure a stoppage-time equaliser via striker Dominic Solanke.

Following that result, De Zerbi’s squad recorded three consecutive Premier League victories to close out the month with a goal difference of plus-six:

According to reports from both the Premier League and LiveScore, the victory against Chelsea represented only Tottenham’s second top-flight league win at Stamford Bridge in 36 years. The subsequent 2-0 home triumph over Crystal Palace also saw Spurs break a Premier League passing record during the fixture.

What Did Roberto De Zerbi Say About Winning the Award?

Upon receiving the trophy at Tottenham’s training ground on 13 November 2026, De Zerbi emphasised collective responsibility across the squad and backroom staff rather than individual recognition.

As reported by the official Tottenham Hotspur website, De Zerbi stated:

“I feel good, I am happy. I want to say thanks to my players, to my club because it is not my credit but you know when you are a coach you work with many, many people and it’s right to say thank you for everybody.”

Reflecting on the tactical and behavioural adjustments made after September’s winless run, De Zerbi added on the club’s official platform:

“The first five games in this season were not good enough and from Manchester United game [1-1 draw] we changed things – we changed behaviour, we changed quality of the play, we changed the quality of performance of the players and for this reaction I am very proud.”

Who Else Was Nominated for the October Manager of the Month Award?

As detailed by the Premier League’s official news release, De Zerbi emerged victorious from a six-man shortlist after supporters’ votes—which closed at 12:00 GMT on Monday, 9 November—were combined with selections from a panel of football experts.

The nominees and their respective October records were as follows:

• Roberto De Zerbi (Tottenham Hotspur): Played 4, Won 3, Drawn 1, Lost 0 (Goal Difference +6)
• Mikel Arteta (Arsenal): Played 3, Won 3, Drawn 0, Lost 0 (Goal Difference +4)
• Xabi Alonso (Chelsea): Played 4, Won 3, Drawn 0, Lost 1 (Goal Difference +6)
• Fabian Hurzeler (Brighton & Hove Albion): Played 4, Won 3, Drawn 0, Lost 1 (Goal Difference +6)
• Marco Rose (AFC Bournemouth): Played 4, Won 3, Drawn 0, Lost 1 (Goal Difference +3)
• Unai Emery (Aston Villa): Played 4, Won 2, Drawn 2, Lost 0 (Goal Difference +2)

Tottenham’s wider academy and first-team setup also received additional recognition for October, with Luca Williams-Barnett winning the Adobe Express Creative Moment of the Month award and Tyrese Hall claiming the Premier League 2 Player of the Month honour.

Background: What Led to De Zerbi’s Appointment and Recent Recognition at Spurs?

Roberto De Zerbi was appointed head coach of Tottenham Hotspur in March 2026 during a turbulent period for the North London club. Prior to his arrival in March, Spurs had endured managerial instability and struggled for consistency in the top flight. Having previously managed Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League—where he earned widespread recognition for his possession-based tactical system—De Zerbi returned to English football tasked with rebuilding Tottenham’s playing identity and stabilising league results.

Before De Zerbi’s October 2026 triumph, no Tottenham Hotspur manager had won the Premier League Manager of the Month award for three years. The previous recipient from the club was Ange Postecoglou, who achieved the rare feat of winning the award in three consecutive months—August, September, and October 2023—at the start of his tenure in North London. For De Zerbi personally, despite his prior spell in England with Brighton, October 2026 represents his maiden Barclays Manager of the Month trophy.

Prediction: How Could This Development Affect Tottenham Hotspur Supporters, Players, and Premier League Rivals?

For Tottenham Hotspur players and coaching staff, formal recognition from the Premier League validates the tactical adjustments and behavioural changes implemented following the club’s mid-season training camp in Marbella. Securing 10 points from a possible 12 in October removes immediate relegation pressure and establishes a clearer tactical baseline ahead of the congested winter fixture schedule, particularly with key personnel such as Dejan Kulusevski returning to fitness.

For Tottenham supporters, the combination of ending a 36-year league drought at Stamford Bridge and sweeping three monthly league awards across the senior and academy levels provides tangible evidence of alignment between the manager’s methods and on-pitch output after a difficult opening five weeks.

For Premier League rivals, Tottenham’s climb from the bottom of the table into the top half alters the competitive dynamics in the race for European qualification places. Opponents preparing to face Spurs will now need to account for a side demonstrating higher ball-retention metrics—evidenced by their record-breaking passing display against Crystal Palace—alongside improved defensive resilience after recording consecutive clean sheets.