Tottenham Hotspur’s difficult start to the new Premier League campaign took another turn for the worse on Saturday as they suffered a 3-2 home defeat to Aston Villa, piling further pressure on manager Roberto De Zerbi.
Spurs had entered the season with high expectations after investing more than £300 million during the summer transfer window. Following an encouraging finish to the 2025-26 campaign, there was optimism that Tottenham could challenge near the top of the Premier League once again.
However, their opening five matches have produced just two points, with both of their goals this season coming in the defeat to Villa. That leaves Tottenham at the bottom of the Premier League table, just months after they only avoided relegation to the Championship on the final day of the previous campaign.
Their early EFL Cup exit at the hands of Liverpool has only increased the scrutiny surrounding De Zerbi, with Spurs yet to show the kind of improvement expected after their huge summer investment.
Tottenham may have brought in 10 new players, but not every target was secured. One of the biggest disappointments was Cody Gakpo, with the Liverpool forward remaining at Anfield after Manchester City reportedly intervened when Spurs appeared to be closing in on a move for the Netherlands international.
Aside from that setback, De Zerbi largely managed to bring in the players he wanted. The responsibility now falls on the Italian coach to build a cohesive team and quickly turn the club’s expensive squad into a side capable of producing results.
Several high-profile additions have struggled to make the expected impact so far. Savinho, Mateus Fernandes, Sandro Tonali and Omar Marmoush are among those yet to consistently perform at the level expected after their expensive moves.
Tottenham’s top-rated players in 2026-27 according to FotMob
1. Jan Paul Van Hecke – 7.30
2. Savinho – 7.23
3. Mohammed Kudus – 6.97
4. Micky van de Ven – 6.93
5. Sandro Tonali – 6.92
6. Andy Robertson – 6.82
7. Mateus Fernandes – 6.75
8. Rodrigo Bentancur – 6.70
9. Archie Gray – 6.66
10. Pedro Porro – 6.52
Tottenham’s next Premier League fixture after the international break will see them travel into another major crisis, with Manchester United their opponents and pressure also building around Michael Carrick.
According to former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown, both Tottenham and United are reportedly “very keen” on Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler should either club decide to part ways with their current manager.
The 33-year-old German has already enhanced his reputation after guiding Brighton to an impressive 3-0 victory over Arsenal, ending the Gunners’ perfect start to the campaign.
Hurzeler would certainly represent an interesting option for Tottenham, but another experienced Premier League manager could potentially offer Spurs a more immediate solution.
Eddie Howe could be the answer for Tottenham
Eddie Howe has already demonstrated that he can transform a struggling Premier League club and turn it into a team capable of competing at the highest level.
When Howe took charge of Newcastle United in November 2021, the club were sitting 19th in the Premier League and facing a serious battle against relegation after Steve Bruce’s difficult spell in charge.
With significant backing from the club’s new ownership, Howe helped completely change the atmosphere around St James’ Park. Newcastle secured their Premier League status in his first season before making a remarkable leap the following campaign.
The Magpies finished fourth and secured Champions League qualification, marking a significant turnaround for a club that had been fighting for survival only months earlier.
Eddie Howe’s Newcastle record
– Matches: 231
– Wins: 112
– Draws: 48
– Defeats: 71
– Win percentage: 48.5%
– Points per game: 1.69
– Goals scored per game: 1.72
– Goals conceded per game: 1.27
Howe also developed Newcastle into an aggressive, entertaining side while showing that his teams could remain disciplined and effective in difficult matches.
Some of his most memorable moments came in European competition, including Newcastle’s famous 4-1 Champions League victory over Paris Saint-Germain in 2023.
The Englishman has also earned significant praise from other managers and pundits. Former Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola previously described Howe as “incredible”, while highlighting Newcastle’s recruitment and tactical development under his leadership.
Jamie Carragher has also been a major admirer of Howe and has previously backed him as a potential future England manager.
The former Liverpool defender said he had long considered Howe to be an outstanding coach and argued that the Newcastle boss had achieved an exceptional amount during his time at the club.
Howe’s record at Newcastle demonstrates his ability to take a club from the lower reaches of the Premier League and establish them as a side capable of competing for European football.
That experience could make him an appealing candidate for Tottenham if the club ultimately decides that De Zerbi’s position has become untenable.
With Spurs struggling despite their huge summer spending, club chiefs may need to consider a proven Premier League manager capable of immediately bringing stability, structure and consistency to the team.
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