Roberto De Zerbi has left Marseille by mutual consent after their 5-0 PSG defeat, with the Italian manager heavily linked to Tottenham as Thomas Frank faces increasing pressure at Spurs
Roberto De Zerbi has parted company with Marseille by mutual consent, sparking fresh speculation surrounding the Tottenham Hotspur managerial position.
Current Spurs boss Thomas Frank finds himself under mounting scrutiny in north London following Tuesday evening's 2-1 reverse against Newcastle United. The club find themselves marooned in 16th place in the Premier League table after suffering their seventh home loss in 13 fixtures.
Spurs remain five points above the drop zone, only avoiding a tighter margin thanks to Benjamin Sesko's late leveller for Manchester United against West Ham United. Frank's situation grows increasingly precarious and with De Zerbi now available, the spotlight on his tenure is set to intensify further.
De Zerbi departed Marseille on Wednesday morning after weeks of speculation regarding his future. The Italian exits just days following their humiliating 5-0 hammering by French champions Paris Saint-Germain and a heartbreaking Champions League elimination, exiting on goal difference after a stoppage-time strike from Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin against Real Madrid.
The Ligue 1 outfit released a statement, that read: "Olympique de Marseille and Roberto De Zerbi, coach of the first team, have announced the end of their collaboration by mutual agreement.
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"Following discussions between all stakeholders in the club's management - the owner, president, director of football, and coach - it was decided to make a change at the helm of the first team.
"This was a difficult collective decision, taken after careful consideration in the best interests of the club, in order to respond to the sporting challenges of the end of the season."
De Zerbi has consistently been touted for some of Europe's most prestigious managerial positions after making his mark during a successful spell at Brighton & Hove Albion.
Manchester United are among the clubs monitoring his situation as they search for their next permanent boss, with Michael Carrick delivering impressive results as caretaker.
Meanwhile, Spurs are embroiled in a relegation scrap, a dramatic fall from grace less than 12 months after lifting the Europa League trophy. Frank took over from Ange Postecoglou following that European success, but the Danish manager's reign has failed to meet expectations, and the ex-Brentford boss now faces mounting speculation about his position.
Speaking TNT Sports following Tuesday evening's 2-1 reverse against the Magpies, he said: "No. I spoke to them [the owners] yesterday, so no [update on future]. We understand we are not in a top position and we need to do everything we can to work very hard to get out of.
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"I understand the frustration and the easiest thing is to point at me. That's fair and part of the job, unfortunately.
"I will work day and night to do everything to turn it around but it's fair to say it's never only one person. I think it's fair to say we've been in this situation last year. It's something we need to get through and improve and I'm not in doubt that I'm part of that."