Tottenham Hotspur can stun Premier League rivals Manchester United and get one over on them by winning the race to hire Roberto De Zerbi, after holding talks over hiring the Italian.
Both clubs have interim managers in place until the end of the season, although they have had differing fortunes with Spurs in a much worse position than United heading into the final nine matches of the 2025-26 campaign.
Tottenham have lost all three matches of Igor Tudor's caretaker reign and lie just one point above the Premier League relegation zone, with Championship football next term a real possibility after the north Londoners have gone 11 games without a win.
Meanwhile, United are flying high in third with Carrick winning six of his eight top-flight fixtures at the helm, although he tasted defeat for the first time against 10-man Newcastle United at St James' Park last week.
Tottenham Hold Talks Over De Zerbi Appointment
The Telegraph reported last week that Tottenham have held talks over appointing De Zerbi as their next permanent manager.
GIVEMESPORT sources had revealed last month that the Italian was willing to travel to London to hold face-to-face talks with Spurs over the job to see if the project would work for him now, having turned down the role previously.
Of course, Tottenham being in the Premier League and Tottenham being in the Championship are two totally different propositions, so Spurs making an attractive pitch would surely depend on preserving their top-flight status.
De Zerbi, described as 'one of the best managers in the world' by Arne Slot and 'world-class' by Adam Lallana, is open to making a return to the Premier League having left his job at Marseille earlier this year, after his success at Brighton and Hove Albion in England previously.
Spurs Could Stun Man United With De Zerbi Hire
While an appointment is most likely at the end of the season, Tottenham could be forced to make a permanent hire earlier than that if Tudor's poor form continues.
It remains to be seen whether De Zerbi will be willing to arrive in the next weeks and try and keep Spurs in the Premier League, but if not, it is something that will be more likely if and when they guarantee their spot in the top flight for 2026-27.
Nevertheless, Tottenham know they will be getting a replacement for Tudor in the summer, but Carrick's success as a caretaker means there is more uncertainty over the permanent position at Old Trafford.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is said to want to appoint United's next boss before the World Cup kicks off on June 11, which would rule out the likes of Julian Nagelsmann, Carlo Ancelotti and Mauricio Pochettino, who will all be managing at the tournament.
According to GMS sources, De Zerbi is one of United's preferred external managerial candidates, alongside Nagelsmann and Roberto Martinez, with the Spaniard another manager set to appear at the World Cup.
If Carrick continues with the same results he's had so far and secures Champions League qualification, it could be difficult to look beyond him, but Spurs may have the chance to act quicker and more decisively in the coming months for a manager they should be able to land earlier than another candidate in Pochettino.