William Gallas has questioned Tottenham Hotspur’s decision to appoint Roberto De Zerbi, with the former defender suggesting the club may have overlooked a more suitable short-term option.
Tottenham Hotspur have finally completed the appointment of their third – and hopefully final – manager of the season in Roberto De Zerbi.
The Italian arrives with a reputation for playing attractive, front-footed football, having implemented his style at both Brighton and Marseille.
Spurs director of football Johan Lange is convinced De Zerbi is the right man to take Tottenham forward, as they look to get their season on track and avoid relegation.
Tottenham’s appointment of Roberto De Zerbi questioned by William Gallas
Speaking to BoyleSports, former Arsenal defender William Gallas has opened up on Tottenham’s latest appointment of Roberto De Zerbi, claiming the club has got it wrong and instead needed a more pragmatic short-term solution.
Gallas explained that Spurs require immediate results rather than a stylistic overhaul, stressing the urgency of their situation and the lack of time available for De Zerbi to implement his philosophy.
He said, “Most of the players will know about Roberto De Zerbi because he was a manager at Brighton. I think the players will speak more about De Zerbi, for sure, but Spurs are in a bad situation so they need to take the best solution they can to keep them in the Premier League.
“They need the right man for seven games and then they can choose who will be the right manager for next season.
“You do not have the time to get your team playing the way you want to play. It is short-term now. You just need results. Take the three points. Be safe.”
Spurs should have appointed Harry Redknapp instead, says William Gallas
Gallas is not the only one to share such an opinion regarding the appointment of De Zerbi, with Tim Sherwood believing the former Brighton manager is a good fit for Spurs, but remaining unsure whether he is the ideal pick for a relegation scrap.
Spurs, of course, were not short of options, with Sean Dyche also linked with the Tottenham job. Former manager Harry Redknapp also threw his name into the mix for the managerial opening in north London, but he was ultimately overlooked.
Gallas went further when discussing what Tottenham should have done, arguing that Redknapp’s experience and connection with the club would have made him a better choice in a survival battle, while also questioning De Zerbi’s long-term commitment if relegation occurs.
He continued: “I would have gone for Harry Redknapp. He has got the experience. He has been in this situation with Tottenham before, almost at the bottom of the table and you need to know what to say to the players to make them want to survive. I do not think De Zerbi has that experience.
“Let us say, unfortunately, Tottenham do go to the second division, do you think De Zerbi would stay? I think it is in his contract but if they go down, he is leaving.
“You have to bring in the one manager who is going to save that club and keep them in the Premier League. Harry Redknapp has the influence, he has that experience, to motivate the players and the squad.
“Now the question is whether he would have had the energy to do it all again because it is not easy, even if it is only for two more months until the end of the season. You need a lot of energy and when was the last time he was the manager? It was a long time.”
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