ALAN SHEARER WARNS DE ZERBI'S "FIVE-YEAR" DEAL CONTAINS HIDDEN EXIT CLAUSES
Alan Shearer reacts to Roberto De Zerbi joining Tottenham on a five-year deal amidst a relegation battle.
Alan Shearer thinks Tottenham hiring Roberto De Zerbi is a risky move, but he believes it’ll keep them in the Premier League.
Spurs have handed De Zerbi, an Italian coach, a massive five-year contract. The idea is not just to rescue them from the threat of relegation but also to set things up for the future. In his first interview with the club, De Zerbi made it clear he’ll still be in charge next season, no matter how the last seven games go.
He’s the fourth manager Spurs have had in nine months, which kind of says it all. Shearer pointed out that after so many missteps, De Zerbi really held the cards in negotiations. “Honestly, Roberto De Zerbi could’ve written his own contract. He probably did. The five-year deal? Don’t read too much into it. Who knows what clauses are in there? If things go sideways and he gets sacked, he might only get a year’s pay, if he’s lucky.
It’s still a gamble for De Zerbi. He doesn’t want to manage in the Championship, and there’s a real chance he ends up there. He’s betting on himself to turn things around in these last seven games. Shearer says De Zerbi knows the league and has a clear style of play, but whether he can get his ideas across in such a short time is still up in the air.
People keep saying Spurs are too good to go down, but Shearer’s not convinced. Skill only gets you so far; it’s all about mindset. Up till now, Spurs haven’t handled that part well. The real question is whether De Zerbi can inject some belief into the squad before the season ends. Confidence matters most, and the players have to believe he can get something out of them.
De Zerbi’s first test is a tough one: Sunderland away. Everyone’s watching that.
Spurs might even drop into the relegation zone by the time they play Sunderland if West Ham beats Wolves two days earlier. Shearer reckons De Zerbi will “just about” keep Tottenham up, and he compares the challenge to his own when he managed Newcastle, though he ended up relegated.
Shearer isn’t glossing over the risk. “Look, whoever they hired, it was going to be a gamble. But they’ve shown their hand five-year deal, good or bad, he’s their guy. It’s definitely a huge risk, but anyone would’ve been, given where Spurs are right now.”
He notes De Zerbi tends to do things his own way, and he rarely stays at clubs for very long. So the five-year contract? Not really that meaningful. The only thing that matters for Spurs is staying in the Premier League, then regrouping next season. Shearer thinks De Zerbi will just about manage it.
When Shearer managed Newcastle, he was in a similar spot bottom of the table, the fourth manager in a single season. He remembers how tough it was. “You don’t get the job because everything’s running smoothly. You walk in because the club’s in trouble. You’re basically hired because the club’s in s**t.”
NICKY BUTT BACKS JAMES GARNER FOR "STUNNING" MANCHESTER UNITED RETURN THIS SUMMER
James Garner shines for England as Nicky Butt backs the Everton man for a Manchester United homecoming in 2026.
Nicky Butt wants Manchester United to bring James Garner back to Old Trafford after Garner’s standout season at Everton. He came up through United’s academy and then went out on loan at Watford and Forest. Four years back, he moved to Everton for £15 million. Now, he’s become a crucial player in David Moyes’ lineup, picking up eight goal contributions as Everton fights for a European spot.
Garner’s club performances earned him his first England call-up last month. He played in both games against Uruguay and Japan, and England manager Thomas Tuchel praised him afterwards.
United’s midfield needs a shakeup, especially with Casemiro on his way out. Butt knows United are looking for new options, and he can picture Garner wearing red again, even if a summer move would be tricky. Liverpool’s interested too, so it’s not a straightforward deal.
Butt talked to Paddy Power about Garner and said, “I don’t see why he couldn’t be back at United. He’s doing well for a big club that expects a lot week in, week out. He knows United, and he’s showing everyone what he can do right now. He just needs to keep it up next season. It’s probably a little early for United to splash big cash, but I’m confident he’s got what it takes.”
Butt helped guide Garner during his time at United’s academy. He admits Garner wasn't quite ready back then, but moving on gave him the chance to kick-start his career. Butt compares him to himself, not the flashiest player, but with relentless drive and desire.
After England’s disappointing results against Uruguay and Japan, Tuchel’s final World Cup squad is facing extra scrutiny. Butt can’t imagine Garner missing out. “He’s been phenomenal this season and has done himself a huge favour. He’s got it all: the passing, the tackling, the defending, the sprinting. He reminds me of a less polished Gerrard, maybe not as good, but he has that same energy and versatility. He’ll definitely be on the plane.”
And with Manchester United’s recent strong run under Michael Carrick, the big question is whether the club should make him the permanent manager. If they keep playing like this, it’s hard to argue against giving him the job.
SUNDERLAND PLOTS "RIDICULOUS" RICO LEWIS SWOOP TO OUTSHINE NEWCASTLE’S SUMMER
Sunderland targets Man City’s Rico Lewis as Regis Le Bris seeks versatile stars for a 2026 European push.
Sunderland is targeting a player many would call ridiculous ahead of the summer transfer window, with several Premier League clubs in pursuit, including their local rivals Newcastle United.
The Black Cats have exceeded expectations in their return to the Premier League, notably beating Newcastle twice. Their recent 2-1 win at St. James' Park, secured by Brian Brobbey’s late goal, has them eyeing a surprising push for a European spot, sitting just three points behind seventh-place Brentford.
After earning promotion by defeating Sheffield United in the play-off final, Sunderland invested heavily in the summer transfer window. However, some players who were crucial in the Championship have since lost their starting roles.
Still, Trai Hume has remained a key figure under Regis Le Bris. The manager recently praised Hume’s adaptability, highlighting his ability to fill various positions: “He has strong versatility. Left-back, right-back, right-winger, midfielder, probably centre-back. I’m not sure about the back four, since I haven’t tried that, but in a back three, definitely. We need players like him.”
Hume has indeed been used in different roles this season, even captaining the team five times. Sunderland is now looking to sign a player from the same agent, reportedly setting their sights on Rico Lewis.
According to TEAMtalk, Sunderland is planning a significant move for Lewis, with Manchester City open to letting the right-back leave this summer, provided he wants to move on.
Newcastle, Fulham, Everton, Crystal Palace, Brighton, and Brentford are also interested, making the race for Lewis’s signature increasingly competitive.
Lewis, mainly a right-back, has seen his playing time limited at Man City this season, featuring for only 312 minutes in ten Premier League appearances. This lack of minutes is a concern for the 21-year-old.
Despite limited game time, Lewis has shown promise when called upon. He earned praise from Statman Dave after playing a key role in Man City’s 5-0 FA Cup win against Huddersfield Town.
By now, Lewis is fairly experienced for his age, having made 115 senior appearances since breaking into the first team in 2022-23. During that time, he’s contributed seven goals and 12 assists.
At this stage, if Lewis doesn’t get regular minutes, his development could stall. A move to Sunderland could provide the playing time he needs while fitting well with the club’s ambitions.
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