Tottenham are in advanced talks with Roberto De Zerbi and are set to appoint him as their third manager tasked with keeping Spurs in the Premier League this season.
Roberto de Zerbi is close to joining Tottenham (Image: Johnny Fidelin/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
Roberto De Zerbi is a manager with a lot to prove. That’s why Tottenham will appeal to him, even if that chance comes sooner than expected.
De Zerbi, 46, was adamant last week that he wanted to wait until the summer before starting a new challenge. It’s not just a matter of refreshment, it’s clear that Tottenham are in serious decline and De Zerbi doesn’t think he can make it in the Championship.
He is certainly a manager who does not lack conviction. He is known as arrogant, aloof, and difficult, but those are some of the better descriptions.
Other adjectives such as explosive, angry, and impossible could be used easily throughout his repeated executive career. But De Zerbi is also a very successful manager who delivers results, which is why Tottenham decided to do it now instead of waiting.
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read more: “I played for Tottenham as a potential manager and everyone who has been there says the same about him.”read more: Tottenham’s former Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi emerges as favorite for the title, split verdict
It remains to be seen whether any manager, let alone De Zerbi, will be able to realize his ideas with the remaining seven games. But De Zerbi changed his mind, saying the Italian knew Tottenham had a big chance.
They have a £1bn stadium and played Champions League football this season, but they have an underperforming team in desperate need of a coach who can train them, improve them and lift them to safety. De Zerbi enjoyed an excellent two-year spell at Brighton, taking the team to Europe and using his high-pressing tactics to create interesting, fast and intense football.
It has been a recurring theme, linking him with big jobs such as Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Manchester United. De Zerbi is not lacking in ambition. But that was at the heart of his falling out with De Zerbi at Brighton, with him questioning the club’s ambitions and that of chairman Tony Bloom, which could only end one way.
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Roberto De Zerbi leaves Brighton under a cloud (Image: Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
De Zerbi wanted to spend more players and more money on the team and reach a higher level. There was an atmosphere of anxiety as De Zerbi talked about his “plans” and “Tony’s plans.” There would be no Brighton without Bloom, but de Zerbi was prepared to challenge the hierarchy in public. His rants can be unpleasant at times.
Although he didn’t have much of a job in England, he moved to Marseille and finished second in his first season, helping Marseille return to the Champions League, but the wheels came off again as they missed out on a place in the knockout stages.
However, De Zerbi is respected by his colleagues, which is why Arsenal also loaned Etan Nwaneri, as Mikel Arteta thought he would receive a good football education at Marseille. It didn’t last long.
Roberto de Zerbi pounces on Mason Greewood’s defense (Image: Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images)
De Zerbi’s comments about Mason Greenwood – shown by Manchester United after charges including attempted rape and assault were dropped – that he was a “good man” have clearly set off alarms among at least three Spurs supporter groups.
That was initially a concern for Tottenham bosses, but that appears to have changed and they are now ready to appoint him as soon as possible. He has a unique playing style. The team is working hard. Tottenham hope to confirm him within the next few days to allow enough time to work with the players before the game against Sunderland on April 12.
West Ham play Wolves two days ago, so Tottenham could end up in the bottom three at that point. Then the challenge will become very real. But De Zerbi would not have even spoken to Tottenham if he didn’t believe he was up to the task and immediate task of accepting and guiding a failed, adrift, rudderless team to safety.
If they do sign a deal with their opponent, it will be a thrilling journey with the manager ready to take on the challenge without pulling any punches. Tottenham will remember Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte ranting about the way the club is run. They should know what’s going to happen.
But De Zerbi is older and wiser and has a point to prove in English football. These jobs don’t come along very often. That’s why he’s considering going back to work.
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