Roberto De Zerbi is the bookmakers' favourite to become the new Tottenham manager and Steven Gerrard has already praised the Italian's ability to develop young players
Steven Gerrard has indicated that Roberto De Zerbi would be a perfect managerial appointment for Tottenham in the wake of interim boss Igor Tudor's exit. The club announced they had reached a mutual agreement to part company with Tudor following a challenging period, with the Croatian securing victory in only one of his seven matches in charge.
Multiple candidates have already been mentioned in connection with the role, but the bookies' top pick is De Zerbi, who departed Marseille in February. It's believed the Italian has conducted private discussions with Spurs officials and could potentially be willing to assume control before the campaign concludes.
This would represent a change of heart from his earlier reported preference to take over at the season's end. The Italian is presently listed as the leading contender in the betting markets, while Mauricio Pochettino features as the second choice.
Nevertheless, a return for Pochettino seems improbable in the immediate future, as he is due to guide the United States at this summer's World Cup. Gerrard, for his part, has already expressed his views on De Zerbi, who managed Brighton between 2022 and 2024.
After Ethan Nwaneri's loan switch to Marseille from Arsenal, Gerrard proposed that working under De Zerbi can only aid the development of young players - something that would prove enormously advantageous for Spurs considering the quantity of rising stars within their squad. Spurs regard Lucas Bergvall, Archie Gray, Mathys Tel, Pape Matar Sarr, Destiny Udogie, Xavi Simons, Souza and Wilson Odobert as exciting prospects, and have splashed a combined £193million on the group, 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.
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"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."
Nwaneri's stint under De Zerbi, however, proved brief, with the Italian departing the French club after just 18 months at the helm. Yet it didn't take long for the youngster to sing the coach's praises. "Roberto De Zerbi is also one of the best coaches in the world," he said.
Beyond De Zerbi, names such as Sean Dyche, Adi Hutter, Marco Silva and Oliver Glasner have been touted for the position in north London. Mirror Football understands that Spurs are working quietly to bring in a new manager within days, allowing the incoming boss time to gel with the squad during the international break.