Tottenham’s search for a new manager goes on, and Roberto De Zerbi has been the name on everyone’s list over the past 24 hours.
With Thomas Frank gone, Spurs are searching for a new manager ahead of the upcoming North London Derby on February 22.
It’s thought Tottenham want a replacement by Monday, though it’s not clear whether they will go for a permanent hire or appoint an interim manager.
Roberto De Zerbi had been thought to be on Tottenham’s shortlist of candidates. Given he left his post at Marseille this week, that speculation has only intensified.
Robert De Zerbi won’t be taking over at Tottenham
The Italian left Marseille by mutual consent, and many had suggested he was primed to take over at Spurs. However, an update from Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge appears to have put that idea to bed already.
On Twitter/X, Bridge wrote: “Roberto De Zerbi, who’s recently left Marseille and often linked with a return to the Premier League, is not looking to take a job right now as it stands and is having a break according to people close to him.”
Reports in the last 24 hours actually said De Zerbi saw Tottenham as his next project, so it’s unclear what has changed in his thinking to come to this decision to step back.
Perhaps, and this is pure speculation, Tottenham are looking at interim options rather than a permanent hire, which probably wouldn’t suit De Zerbi.
A look at De Zerbi’s managerial record
De Zerbi really made his name at Brighton, but he has worked with a number of clubs over the years.
He started his career at Darfo Boario in his native Italy, taking charge for 22 matches. De Zerbi won just five of those games, while drawing another five and losing the other 12.
From there, De Zerbi moved on to Foggia and spent quite some time there. He took charge of 90 matches, winning 48 and drawing 23 to rack up an impressive 1.86 points-per-game (PPG) record.
A short and very unsuccessful spell with Palermo lasted just 13 games, with ten defeats. It didn’t get much better at Benevento, with just six wins in 29 matches.
De Zerbi’s longest stint in charge of a club came at Sassuolo. Out of 120 games, he won 43, drew 36, and lost 41 to record a 1.38 PPG rate.
A year in charge of Shakhtar Donetsk saw De Zerbi record 20 wins from 30 games and a 2.17 PPG rate. He also won the Ukrainian Super Cup there, and that was enough to get Brighton’s attention in September 2022.
In 89 matches with the Seagulls, De Zerbi won 38 and drew 20. He earned praise for overachieving and leading Brighton to a sixth place finish in 2023/24.
At Marseille, De Zerbi oversaw 69 matches. He won 39 of them and earned a 1.81 PPG record. He guided the French outfit to second place in Ligue 1 last season, and leaves them in the top four. However, they did crash out of the Champions League at the first hurdle this term.
It remains to be seen who Tottenham hire as their next interim or permanent manager this week.