Tottenham Hotspur are seriously interested in appointing former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi, who could prove a stronger option than their former manager Mauricio Pochettino.
The north London side are looking for both short- and long-term solutions to their managerial situation, as clouds are starting to gather over Igor Tudor.
The Croatian has failed to convince in his first four games in charge of Spurs, who remain in serious danger of relegation, sitting just 16th in the Premier League with nine games to play.
While De Zerbi is likely being viewed as an option after the season, Tottenham appear keen on hiring the Italian, who has even been labelled as their ‘dream’ appointment.
Tottenham Keen on Appointing Roberto De Zerbi
According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Tottenham view De Zerbi as a ‘dream’ managerial candidate for the summer, but his arrival may depend on several factors.
That includes their Premier League status next season, as relegation would considerably diminish their chances of landing the Italian.
De Zerbi is available after leaving Ligue 1 side Marseille earlier this month and is likely to seek a return to management after the season, despite Tottenham currently being on the lookout for Tudor’s successor.
De Zerbi spent two years at Brighton and took the Seagulls to sixth in the Premier League in the 2022/23 season – the club’s highest top-flight finish to date.
The Italian departed his role at Marseille by mutual consent following a 5-0 thrashing by Paris Saint-Germain and the club’s exit from the Champions League in February.
Why De Zerbi Would Be Better Than Pochettino
While some Tottenham fans would clearly welcome Pochettino’s return nearly seven years after his sacking, the Argentine’s stock as a manager is not quite as high as De Zerbi’s at present.
Pochettino struggled to impress during his previous spell in the Premier League with Chelsea, who parted ways with him after just one season, and his rigid tactical approach failed to deliver consistent results in a squad undergoing transition.
De Zerbi, meanwhile, is at a different stage of his career. There is still an air of mystery around the Italian, as he has yet to manage a top European club, but he has shown enough to merit the opportunity.