Roberto De Zerbi is closing in on becoming the new Tottenham boss.
Tottenham Hotspur are searching for their third head coach of a campaign that has already made two sackings.
Igor Tudor is now gone; 44 days, seven games, one victory, and the clock is ticking fast with seven Premier League matches remaining and a single point separating Spurs from the relegation zone. Plenty of names have been linked with the job, but in recent hours, talks have accelerated between the North London club and Roberto De Zerbi.
Reputed journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Roberto De Zerbi remains Tottenham’s “dream appointment.” The Italian has performed a massive U-turn by signalling his openness to considering the role immediately rather than waiting until the summer.
If he accepts the job, the 46-year-old would become the third-highest-paid Premier League manager. What’s more, De Zerbi will bag what’s being termed a ‘massive survival bonus’ if he ensures the Lilywhites keep their top-flight status intact in the final weeks of the season.
Simon Jordan claims Roberto De Zerbi would not be a good fit at Tottenham
De Zerbi is now open to taking the vacant managerial role at White Hart Lane, with club chiefs optimistic of agreeing a deal. This means the appointment is looming large.
Now, former Crystal Palace chairman, Simon Jordan, has given his verdict on Tottenham’s impending appointment of De Zerbi. He feels the only thing the Italian tactician is good at is “creating chaos and disruption.”
“De Zerbi is creative, yeah, he’s good at creating chaos and disruption with people that he works for,” Simon Jordan said on the talkSPORT show.
“But he’s a capable manager, and at the end of the day, you have to put the players into the conversation.
“The players go and execute the outcome. How can the players possibly, in any parallel universe, be excused from the outcome?”
A risky appointment?
After leaving Marseille around the same time Thomas Frank was dismissed at Tottenham, De Zerbi was initially looking to wait until the summer and accept the Tottenham job after knowing their status. But he has changed his stance, showing his willingness to join the club immediately.
Under the 46-year-old, Brighton and Hove Albion played some majestic football and also qualified for the Europa League for the first time in their history. De Zerbi’s possession-based, attacking style of football is exciting to watch for the fans, while he has developed players at every club he’s managed.
However, with just seven games left, top-flight status at stake and the players’ confidence levels on the floor, his appointment could be risky. The ex-Sassuolo manager is a combustible figure, often seen falling out with the club’s hierarchy and walking out. De Zerbi has only managed to stay at one club for more than two years, which is a red flag. This makes the club’s decision to potentially hand him a five-year contract naïve.
Hopefully, De Zerbi proves us wrong and fulfils the Lilywhites’ only objective of staying in the Premier League this season.