Tottenham parted ways with Igor Tudor on Sunday, ending his disastrous spell as interim boss, with the relegation-threatened side now closing in on Roberto De Zerbi
Roberto De Zerbi has been offered a five-year contract by Tottenham. Relegation-threatened Spurs sent an SOS to the former Brighton and Marseille manager in a desperate attempt to beat the drop.
Tottenham were locked in advanced negotiations with De Zerbi on Monday after offering him a mega deal to take over immediately rather than wait until the summer.
It is believed they have got as far as discussing the finer details of De Zerbi’s backroom staff as the Italian is renowned for having a big backroom team.
De Zerbi may bring in a smaller staff but with a clear brief to save Spurs with just seven games left and they could be in the relegation zone by the time a new manager takes charge.
Tottenham want to install the new boss by the time their players come back from international duty this week to allow time to work with them before their next game at Sunderland on April 12.
West Ham play two days earlier and if they beat Wolves then it will push Tottenham into the bottom three and in serious danger of going down.
That is why they brought forward their plan on De Zerbi who was on their shortlist for the summer anyway because relegation would be a catastrophe for one of the Premier League’s biggest and most established clubs.
They are understood to have made a huge offer to De Zerbi and see him as an elite coach capable of drilling the squad and giving them a real new manager bounce.
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Tottenham’s last appointment of Igor Tudor was a disaster as the Croatian was unable to win a single Premier League game in his 44 days in charge as interim.
They parted company on Sunday but not before Tottenham targeted De Zerbi with a clear plan to get him and if they fail to get it over the line they will turn to a former player or manager with Premier League experience.
Tottenham also know there could be a backlash as at least three fans’ groups have publicly criticised De Zerbi for his support for ex-Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood during his time in charge at Marseille.
Former Spurs midfielder Tim Sherwood, who also managed the club, was one name under consideration but he has backed De Zerbi as a good choice if his old team get their man.
Sherwood told Sky Sports: “I love his personality and the way his teams play. But they can be open and can get hammered in some games - you can't get hammered between now and the end of the season.
“We saw his Marseille team play against Liverpool with an open style. He opens up the pitch, it's expansive the way he plays.
“We know how stubborn this man is. This man is hard to deal with, but I like him for that because he's got his own mind and does it his way, so that's my only reservation.
"I think if he can get them over the line, I think he's a perfect manager for Tottenham to have taking them forward. The main priority is just to keep them in the league.”