The Italian signed a five-year contract when he agreed to take over at Spurs, despite their precarious position in the top-flight, promising he would be "the coach of Tottenham next season no matter what" in his first interview.

His reign began in defeat last weekend, and a 1-0 loss to Sunderland, coupled with a 4-0 win for West Ham United, means Spurs sit 18th in the table, two points from safety, with six games to play.

Spurs remain the only Premier League side without a win in 2026, while they have won just one of their past 26 league games played across January, February, March, April and May, losing 18 in that spell.

Even if they go down, De Zerbi is confident he will be in north London next season, assuming his relationship with the board remains healthy.

"The problem is not the league," De Zerbi said when asked if he will be at Spurs no matter what.

"The problem is to keep the relationship with the board and to have the same ideas in the project. Everyone on the same page."

De Zerbi faces his former club Brighton and Hove Albion in his first home game in charge of Spurs, which are winless in their past three Premier League games against the Seagulls.

Only one of the previous 13 managers to take charge of Spurs have lost their first home game, but it was his predecessor, Igor Tudor, against Arsenal in February.

Tottenham has also lost its past four matches on home soil.

"I have to get to know my players better and better every week," De Zerbi said.

"We have no time to lose. We have no time to understand the problems we have this season. We have to be focused just on the next game. Transfer confidence.

"I can bring my philosophy of football. But also working to create a good atmosphere, a good relationship with the players. In this moment of football, the qualities of the players are important. But the spirit, the relationship between the players, is too.

"We have to feel everyone's responsibility in this situation. And we can't cry. We have to push to get out of this situation.

"We need players with personality and character. Otherwise, they don't play with me."

Spurs would move out of the relegation zone with a win against Brighton, with West Ham not playing until Tuesday (AEST), when it travels to Crystal Palace.