Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly in advanced talks with Roberto de Zerbi, the former Brighton manager. According to multiple sources, De Zerbi is now willing to take charge immediately, a shift from his initial preference of waiting until the end of the season. The club has been intensifying their efforts to secure an immediate deal with De Zerbi. The talks have been described as positive and are seemingly heading towards a final agreement. It's believed that Spurs would be offering the 46-year-old a long-term contract at the club. This comes after De Zerbi became available following his exit from Marseille in February.
Spurs currently sit 17th in the Premier League table, just one point above the relegation zone and without any league wins this year. The interim head coach Igor Tudor left by mutual consent on Sunday after only 44 days at helm, leaving chief executive Vinai Venkatesham and sporting director Johan Lange with task of appointing his replacement.
It was reported that Tottenham decided to part ways with Tudor following last Sunday's 3-0 defeat by Nottingham Forest but wanted to give him time to mourn his father's death last weekend.
Opposition from supporters' groups
However, several Tottenham supporters' groups have expressed their opposition against appointing De Zerbi due to his support for former Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood who joined him at Marseille in 2023 after charges against him were dropped. During Greenwood’s tenure at Marseille under De Zerbi’s management, he described Greenwood as a "good guy" who had paid a "heavy price" for past actions.
Former Nottingham Forest boss Sean Dyche has also been considered on short-term basis given his track record of keeping clubs in the Premier League. However, Dyche would seek a minimum 18-month contract if he was to replace Tudor, which could prove a stumbling block towards any agreement.
Strong other options
Mauricio Pochettino is another fan-favorite due to his successful previous reign at the club. However, his commitments with the USA national team ahead of this summer's World Cup would make an immediate move challenging.
Candidates with Tottenham connections such as Ryan Mason, Harry Redknapp and Tim Sherwood have expressed their willingness to take on the job on an interim basis until season end. Current player Ben Davies has also been considered as a possible short-term fix while former Spurs players Glenn Hoddle and Chris Hughton have been touted as interim appointments.
Ex-Monaco head coach Adi Hutter's name had also surfaced but he seems to have ruled himself out of contention. While De Zerbi appears to be in advanced talks with Tottenham Hotspur for an immediate takeover, there are several other potential candidates being considered for both long-term and short-term roles. The final decision will undoubtedly be crucial for Spurs' future given their current precarious position in the Premier League.
