Tottenham’s rocky start to the 2026/27 season is reportedly putting increasing pressure on Roberto De Zerbi, with concerns growing inside the club about whether he’s the right man to turn things around.
The struggles continued Tuesday with a 3-1 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield, which knocked Spurs out of the Carabao Cup and added to a tough start under De Zerbi. In the Premier League, Tottenham have managed just two points from their first four games — a poor return that’s drawn extra scrutiny given the club’s substantial summer spending, especially after narrowly escaping relegation last season.
Reports suggest senior figures at the club have begun discussing De Zerbi’s position, with the possibility of a managerial change on the table if results don’t improve soon. That said, there’s no confirmation yet that ownership has made any decision to remove him.
The stakes are especially high because Tottenham spent heavily in the transfer window — reportedly over £300 million — bringing in players like Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, Savio, and Omar Marmoush. That level of investment has raised expectations that De Zerbi should be building a competitive team quickly.
Eddie Howe’s name enters the picture
One name that could gain traction if Tottenham do eventually consider a managerial switch is Eddie Howe, who’s been out of work since leaving Newcastle United in July after nearly five years in charge. During his time at St James’ Park, he oversaw major progress and turned Newcastle into consistent contenders for European spots.
Notably, this isn’t the first time Howe’s name has come up at Tottenham — reports back in February suggested he’d been “raised and discussed” at board level as the club weighed future options. That earlier interest means his name could resurface if Spurs’ form continues to slide.
Still, there’s a clear gap between internal discussions about a candidate and an actual decision to hire him. Nothing in current reports suggests Tottenham have made contact with Howe or settled on replacing De Zerbi.
De Zerbi remains confident
Despite the poor results, De Zerbi has publicly stated that his project needs more time to develop. After the Liverpool loss, he expressed belief that his team’s performances will eventually translate into better results, pointing out the squad is still adjusting to his approach. According to Reuters, he remained upbeat even after a fourth straight match without a win — a stance that will likely be tested by Tottenham’s next few fixtures.
For now, the club’s leadership appears focused on wanting to see real improvement rather than making a hasty call. But if the team keeps underperforming despite the massive summer outlay, pressure on De Zerbi will likely grow.
With Howe available and previously discussed internally, he could become an increasingly notable option if Tottenham decide change is needed. For the moment, though, De Zerbi remains in charge, and the club hasn’t made any public move to replace him.
