Tottenham Hotspur have explored a number of managerial candidates as they look for a new boss to replace Igor Tudor
Former Brighton and Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi is among the contenders to take over at Tottenham Hotspur and the Italian already has history with one of rival side Arsenal's senior stars. De Zerbi had a run-in with Leandro Trossard when the pair were together at the Amex Stadium and it ultimately led to the Belgian trading Brighton for Arsenal.
De Zerbi, who left Marseille earlier this season, is one of the managers in the mix to replace Igor Tudor and is now reported to be open to joining immediately. Ex-Juventus boss Tudor lasted just seven games at Spurs - taking one point from five league outings - before leaving by mutual agreement.
Italian boss De Zerbi got a bit more time than that at each of his last two clubs, taking charge of 69 games at Marseille and 89 at Brighton. He left the English club at the end of the 2023/24, more than a year after a falling-out with Trossard which effectively ended the former Genk star's time on the south coast.
In January 2023, De Zerbi claimed Trossard left a training session without permission after being told he wouldn't feature in the third round of the FA Cup. The forward would end up never playing for the club again, joining Arsenal later that same month, though Trossard disputed the manager's version of events.
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK!Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football's Facebook page
"He left the session without saying anything to me," De Zerbi said. "And it's not good. I spoke with him, and I explained this attitude [and] behaviour, I don't like.
"I am open with him to take a step back and listen to him, but he has to understand me; I want only players who work hard and play for the team 100 per cent."
Trossard joined Arsenal for up to £27million on January 20, helping the London club run Manchester City close in the title race. Regarding De Zerbi's assertions about that training session, though, the player's agent gave a rather different account of what happened.
"In the run-up to the game against Middlesbrough for the FA Cup, Leandro had already indicated twice that he had problems with his calf," Trossard's agent said in a statement. "This was the reason why he stopped training. This was, incidentally, in consultation with the medical staff.
"The manager told Leandro that he had to train separately. Last Monday, the manager humiliated Leandro in group and indicated that he no longer wanted to see him. A manager who has not communicated directly with his player for four weeks is really incomprehensible.
"Incidentally, it is also the manager who has indicated several times that a transfer is the most convenient solution. It is therefore important that Brighton cooperates with a potential transfer during this transfer period and shows a benevolent attitude, which is beneficial to both parties."
The remainder of the 2022/23 season went well for De Zerbi and Brighton, who recorded their best ever Premier League finish of sixth. They spent the majority of the following season in the top half but eventually finished 11th, with their manager's exit confirmed just days before the end of the campaign.
Trossard recently brought up three years as an Arsenal player, having agreed improved terms in August last year. He played his 150th match for the London club this season and has scored five league goals this season to help them sit in pole position in the title race with just seven games to go.
Rivals Tottenham, in contrast, are just one point clear of the relegation places. De Zerbi had reportedly been reluctant to take the manager's job at the club until the summer but recent reports indicate his stance has softened.