Former Brighton star Adam Lallana has shared his candid thoughts regarding Tottenham Hotspur’s appointment of Roberto De Zerbi.
De Zerbi has been handed a five-year deal with Spurs, with the Lilywhites choosing to bet big on the Italian as a long-term option rather than going in with another interim option after sacking Igor Tudor.
The 46-year-old returns to the Premier League two years after he left Brighton, who he took to their record points tally of 62 back in the 2022-23 campaign.
De Zerbi has said he has big long-term ambitions at Spurs, although he made it clear that his priority for now is to keep the club in the Premier League.
Adam Lallana is convinced Tottenham will not be relegated with Roberto De Zerbi
Some pundits have questioned whether De Zerbi is the right man to navigate Spurs through a relegation battle, despite his obvious strengths as a manager.
However, Lallana, who worked with the 46-year-old for two years at the Amex Stadium, is convinced that his former boss will keep the Lilywhites up, comparing his style of management to Jurgen Klopp’s.
When asked if he expects De Zerbi to keep Tottenham Hotspur up, the former England international told talkSPORT: “Definitely. Not even a doubt in my mind. I just think they’re very, very fortunate. I’m actually slightly jealous. I was speaking to a player at Spurs who was picking my brains about him. I just know they’re going to be in for a rollercoaster, but a great one.”
“I always compared him (De Zerbi) with Jurgen, actually. Probably just the passion that they both possess for the game. I think tactically and game mode-wise, they’re completely different. But in terms of love and passion for football, they’re exactly the same.”
Lallana expects De Zerbi to motivate Spurs squad
Some may wonder if the Italian’s adventurous and high-risk style may be conducive to a scrap at the bottom of the table, but Lallana revealed that the new Tottenham boss will be cautious of the Lilywhites’ current predicament.
The former Liverpool attacking midfielder also spoke glowingly of De Zerbi’s ability to motivate his players and get them to buy into his methods.
Lallana added: “Roberto’s an extremely smart man. He’ll know he’s not got time to play a certain way, a certain style. He won’t be snobbish to not understand that. He knows he’s got to go in there and motivate a group of men.
“Luckily for Roberto, he might not know that but he’s one of the most inspirational managers and people there is, in my opinion. After five minutes of him speaking in our first meeting when he joined Brighton, I was on board. I have no doubt he’d be able to emulate that at Spurs.”