Roberto De Zerbi has spoken about the power he holds over Tottenham’s recruitment decisions and the relationship he has with the club’s leadership.
The summer window is now around the corner, and it is a crucial one for Spurs, with De Zerbi set to put his own imprint on the squad he inherited ahead of his first full season in charge.
Reports suggest that Tottenham are prepared to invest significantly in their squad this summer, as they look to hand the Italian the tools he needs to get the club back up near the top end of the table.
There could be wholesale changes to the Spurs squad, with the Lilywhites potentially set for a reset, after two consecutive poor campaigns domestically.
Roberto De Zerbi admits he wants to have ‘important’ role in Tottenham transfers
De Zerbi has signed a five-year deal at Spurs, which is clear evidence that the club and the Italian both see this as a long-term project.
He will also have to compete with one of the most highly thought of young coaches in the world next season, with Xavi Alonso announced as the next Chelsea boss.
Alonso has been handed the title of manager rather than just head coach, potentially indicating a broader role than most modern-day coaches.
When De Zerbi was asked what the job title entails and about the perceived extra power in making recruitment decisions, he told Football.London: “I don’t know. I think every coach wants to be important in the transfer market, to find the connection with the sporting director, with the board of the club, because everyone works for the good of the club, not for ourselves. But it’s not important now.”
De Zerbi reveals whether he has spoken to Johan Lange about Spurs’ summer targets
According to some sources, De Zerbi himself has been given plenty of power at Spurs, with the Italian expected to have a big say in the club’s summer rebuild.
However, the 46-year-old insists that he is not thinking about the transfer window right now, with his focus firmly on keeping the Lilywhites in the Premier League.
When asked about his own influence at Tottenham this summer, De Zerbi responded: “I have a great relationship with Vinai [Venkatesham], with Johan Lange, but we have not spoken yet about anything because the focus is not about the transfer market, not about the next season. We have to stay up and then we can speak about everything.”