Roberto De Zerbi open to Premier League return amid Tottenham links

Roberto De Zerbi has done a fantastic job at Marseille but is now open to returning to the Premier League

Ange Postecoglou has been dismissed by Tottenham Hotspur just over a fortnight after he guided the club to Europa League glory. It was the club’s first piece of silverware after 2008, yet that wasn’t enough to keep hold of his job.

This is because Spurs finished just above the three relegated clubs and could not even cross the 40-point mark in the Premier League this past season. Ange Postecoglou paid the price for a dismal domestic season, where the Lilywhites were eliminated in the third round of the FA Cup by Aston Villa.

The North London club put out a statement that a replacement for Postecoglou will be announced in due course, as Daniel Levy and Co. look to plan for the transfer window and season ahead. A host of managerial names have been assessed by Spurs’ hierarchy as they look for alternatives to Postecoglou.

Brentford manager Thomas Frank is the frontrunner to replace the Australian at White Hart Lane. But there is another name that has been doing the rounds. Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi has been linked with a move to Tottenham too.

Roberto De Zerbi has done a fantastic job at Marseille, guiding them to a second-place finish behind champions Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1 this past season. He has improved a lot of players and given the team an identity by employing a possession-based, free-flowing and attacking style of football at the Orange Velodrome.

Prior to taking the Marseille job, the Italian tactician worked wonders at Brighton. After Graham Potter left Brighton for Chelsea, the hierarchy appointed De Zerbi in midst of 2022/23 season. Having quickly made the squad understand his footballing principles and philosophy, he guided the Seagulls to Europe for the first time in their club’s history.

Now, according to a report from The Telegraph, De Zerbi is open to returning to the Premier League amid Tottenham links.

This should come as a boost for Spurs who are considering the Italian as one of the names to succeed Ange at the helm. De Zerbi was a transformative figure at Brighton, ensuring their qualification to Europe for the first time in their history despite losing key players. The former Sassuolo boss’ high-pressing, intense and possession-based philosophy, whilst improving players and nurturing young talents, aligns well with Tottenham’s desire for attacking football.

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One of the most sought-after young tactical minds in Europe, De Zerbi would be a smart appointment at N17. With the club in need of a rebuild, the 46-year-old’s eye for talent, input and knowhow of the European market could be key in this transfer window if hired.