Roberto De Zerbi is ready to “get his hands dirty” and take on the Tottenham Hotspur job, as club chiefs consider moving to appoint him immediately in an attempt to re-energise their relegation fight.
Tottenham are giving serious thought to replacing interim boss Igor Tudor, who has lost four of his five Premier League games in charge. His attempt at short, sharp shock therapy has failed and De Zerbi’s willingness to take on the role now gives Spurs a serious decision to make.
The Italian has been out of work since leaving Marseille earlier this year but is keen to return to English football. He was on Manchester United’s shortlist but it is believed interest from Old Trafford has cooled and the De Zerbi camp are under the impression that he is no longer a candidate.
De Zerbi would relish the opportunity at Spurs. Others are understandably cautious about moving to the club. The i Paper was told by one prominent figure in football, who has been in touch with Tottenham over another role, that there is confusion about their vision and the skewed powerlines on the board.
Yet De Zerbi is not intimidated by the size of the task of keeping Spurs in the Premier League and reports he had wanted a break until the end of the season were wide of the mark. He is refreshed and ready to get stuck into his next job.
Mauricio Pochettino and Andoni Iraola are alternative candidates but neither would be available until the summer at the earliest. Bournemouth are attempting to convince Iraola that they can match his ambition and, as The i Paper revealed earlier this month, are set to reopen talks with him over a possible new deal.
The i Paper understands that Tudor would be due sizeable compensation if he were relieved of his duties before his initial short-term contract, which could have been a factor in holding off a big decision after he oversaw a much-improved performance and result at Liverpool.
Tudor is mourning the death of his father Mario and Spurs will be mindful of giving him time and space this week. But it appears as if discussions have been held behind the scenes and things could move quickly.
There has been some feeling that Tudor could move on by mutual consent given the personal circumstances he was in after the 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest.
The Croatian was always a left-field choice but some at Tottenham have been impressed with his work in making the players fitter and have acknowledged the mammoth injury list he has had to contend with. The i Paper was told players were focused on getting their heads down though there had been some tension over Tudor’s handling of Antonin Kinsky following his mistakes against Atletico Madrid.
There is still alarm at results, however, with the second leg win over Atletico – once the tie was effectively over – a fillip in mood that proved a false dawn.
Spurs do have players returning to fitness in April, though Mathys Tel is the latest to suffer a setback and Guglielmo Vicario has just undergone surgery on a hernia.
Read more
Kevin Garside: Only one thing can save Tottenham now
Kat Lucas: Richarlison’s fight should embarrass the Tottenham board
A number of former players and managers have thrown their hat into the ring, including Harry Redknapp and Tim Sherwood, but if Tudor does depart the focus is on a more current candidate. Adi Hutter, who last worked with Monaco in 2025 but who like Tudor does not have Premier League experience, has also been linked.
Given his reputation for calmness under pressure, Chris Hughton has been mentioned in some quarters as a possible interim solution for Spurs. But he has distanced himself from the prospect.
“I’m keeping out of all conversations around the Tottenham job,” he told The i Paper.
“The only conversation I’ll have is it is disappointing where they are because they’re a big club. It’s the nature of this division though, they’re in real trouble. Because of my Tottenham roots I’m hoping they can get the results that kick them into gear, as such.”
Hughton’s last managerial role in England was at Nottingham Forest in 2021 and he admits the game has changed.
“There’s been a lot changes – more in the last three years for the 10-15 years before that,” he said. “For me to get back in it would have to be the right one. It’s become a game for young managers.”
As much as the Spurs hierarchy were mindful that axing Tudor would not be a good look a little over a month after they appointed him, the threat of relegation and its financial implications is getting more serious by the week.