Roberto De Zerbi has made his feelings clear about a potential return to the Premier League
Roberto De Zerbi has previously left the door open to a return to the Premier League. The former Brighton boss, who has recently parted ways with Marseille, has emerged as one of several potential candidates to replace Thomas Frank in the dugout at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
In an interview on Match of the Day, following the Seagulls' 2-0 defeat to Manchester United on the final day of the 2023/24 season, De Zerbi revealed that he hopes to work in the English top flight again.
"There isn't any club – no one offered [anything]. At the moment, nothing," said the 46-year-old, who was later snapped up by Marseille. "I hope to work in the Premier League again. I don't know where or when. But it was an honour to work in the Premier League."
De Zerbi led Marseille to second in Ligue 1 last season, and leaves the French giants in fourth. The Italian left his role as manager at the Orange Velodrome by mutual consent shortly before Spurs sacked Frank.
FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page
De Zerbi stepped down following a 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday night, which saw Marseille drop out of the top three in Ligue 1 and fall 12 points behind the reigning champions in the title race.
At the end of January, the French giants were also dumped out of the Champions League, losing 3-0 to Club Brugge on the final day of the 'group phase'. De Zerbi, who left Brighton in the summer of 2024, spent just under two years at Marseille.
During the Italian's spell on the south coast, he was asked about reports claiming that he could be targeted by Tottenham. De Zerbi said: "I have a long contract and I am happy to work here.
"I'm enjoying working with these players, and I'm pleased with their performance. I cannot ask for more from them. We have a dream, and we know very well [that can] write a new history for the club. For us, that is very important and a very nice challenge."
At the time, Brighton were eighth and seven points behind Spurs with three games in hand. The Seagulls went on to secure qualification to the Europa League, while the north Londoners finished the season empty-handed.
"We are happy because people are speaking about our quality of play," said De Zerbi. "We are proud but have to be focused only on the next games."
De Zerbi certainly caught the eye during his spell at the Amex Stadium, with Pep Guardiola describing him as ' one of the most influential managers in last 20 years'. The Manchester City boss said: " There is no team playing the way they play - it's unique.
"I had the feeling when he arrived the impact he would have in the Premier League would be great - I didn't expect him to do it in this short space of time. He creates 20 or 25 chances per game, better by far than most opponents.
"He monopolises the ball in a way it hasn't been for a long time. They deserve completely the success they have."
Guardiola added: "If you don’t play at a high level, he can do whatever he wants against you. They completely deserve the compliments and the success that they have. It’s one of the teams that I try to learn a lot from, it’s unique."