Tottenham close in on De Zerbi with Italian reportedly willing to jump into relegation fight

Roberto De Zerbi is open to becoming Tottenham head coach now and leading their fight to avoid relegation, according to reports in Italy.

It was previously thought the 46-year-old was willing to join the North London club but his preference was on waiting until the end of the season before committing given their precarious position in the Premier League.

Spurs have not won a domestic game this calendar year and sit just one point above the relegation zone, a record that prompted the sacking of Igor Tudor yesterday.

Despite the uncertainty, Spurs have targeted the former Brighton boss, who has been out of work since leaving Marseille in February after a chaotic end to his tenure at the Stade Velodrome.

They are believed to have offered him a long-term contract after being impressed by his record of playing attacking football.

Mason, Sherwood and Hoddle also options for Tottenham

Other options include appointing someone with Tottenham links such as Ryan Mason, Tim Sherwood or Glenn Hoddle on a short-term deal until the end of the season and trying to lure Mauricio Pochettino back to the club after the World Cup. Pochettino is currently head coach of the United States.

Tudor’s tenure lasted just 44 days with results showing no sign of improving after he replaced Thomas Frank.

The club wanted to sack him following the humbling 3-0 defeat at home to fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest last Sunday but opted to wait as he dealt with the death of his father.

Tudor failed to win a Premier League game during his short stint in charge, taking just a solitary point from five games. They did beat Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League round-of-16 tie but it proved a false dawn as Forest ruthlessly exposed their shortcomings.

Tottenham have gone 13 games without a win in the league, their worst run since 1934/35 when they were relegated. Their first demotion from the top flight since 1977 is now a realistic possibility.

They return to action a week on Sunday when they visit Sunderland.

Tottenham’s results under Tudor