Tottenham are expected to appoint a new manager in the next few days, and Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard has already made his recommendation
Steven Gerrard has suggested Roberto De Zerbi would be an ideal managerial addition for Tottenham following the departure of interim manager Igor Tudor. The club confirmed they had mutually agreed to part ways with Tudor after a difficult spell, with the Croatian winning just one of the seven games he oversaw.
Several names have already been linked with the vacancy, but the bookmakers' favourite is De Zerbi, who left Marseille in February. It's understood the Italian has held private talks with Spurs chiefs and may even be open to taking charge before the end of the season.
This would mark a U‑turn from his previously reported stance of preferring to take charge at the end of the season. The Italian is currently priced as the frontrunner with Bet365, while Mauricio Pochettino sits as the second favourite.
However, a reunion with Pochettino appears unlikely in the short term, as he is set to lead the United States at this summer's World Cup. Gerrard, meanwhile, has already made his thoughts clear on De Zerbi, who coached Brighton between 2022 and 2024.
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Following Ethan Nwaneri's loan move to Marseille from Arsenal, Gerrard suggested that working under De Zerbi can only help develop young players - something that would be hugely beneficial for Spurs given the number of emerging talents in their squad.
Spurs view Lucas Bergvall, Archie Gray, Mathys Tel, Pape Matar Sarr, Destiny Udogie, Xavi Simons, Souza and Wilson Odobert as promising talents, and have spent a combined £193million on them, according to Transfer Markt.
Using Nwaneri as an example, Gerrard told TNT Sports: "I think Mikel Arteta has been extremely clever here because he's sending him to De Zerbi as well, who has got a track record for improving players, and he will give him the time and education and development and he’ll get more game time playing for Marseille.
"If he gets, samples the league, samples the experiences, it’s not going to do him any harm. He's a top talent, and now he’s got to go and get experience and this will be great for him for the future.
"Give him different experiences, go and test him in France. Test him around Europe and hopefully in six months or if he extends it then he comes back with more games under his belt and more experience and he's a better player.
"But without a doubt, De Zerbi will make him a better player."
Nwaner's time with De Zerbi, however, was short‑lived, with the Italian leaving the French side after 18 months in charge. But it didn't take long for the youngster to speak highly of the coach.
"Roberto De Zerbi is also one of the best coaches in the world," he said.