Three top contenders to be next Tottenham manager revealed by ex-Spurs employee
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler, Kieran McKenna and Mauricio Pochettino are among the potential managers Tottenham Hotspur could turn to if Roberto De Zerbi is dismissed.
That is according to former senior Tottenham scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
De Zerbi kept the Lilywhites in the Premier League last season but already finds himself under huge pressure amid a terrible start to the season.
Tottenham have failed to win any of their opening five Premier League games and were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Liverpool last week.
De Zerbi was appointed in March and is on a long-term contract until 2031, although it has been indicated that there may be a clause allowing the club to break the agreement before then.
Tottenham backed the Italian with over £400million in new signings in the summer transfer window and will not rush into a decision, but the early signs this season are not overly positive.
Fabian Hurzeler 'has something about him'
Incredibly, Hurzeler had found himself under huge pressure at Brighton last season after a barren run of just two wins in 15 games.
The 33-year-old survived and guided his team to Conference League qualification and a brilliant start this season that saw them beat Arsenal 3-0 last week.
"I still think it's a bit early for any of that kind of talk, but if you're looking at people, I believe Hurzeler at Brighton has already been mentioned," King told Football Insider when asked who Tottenham potentially be looking at.
"Youngest manager in the league. He was the youngest manager in the Bundesliga. He's certainly got something about him, that is for sure, and he's continued on with the Brighton tradition as such.
"You look at Eddie Howe, he's available. I see other names have been mentioned, McKenna, formerly of Ipswich. I think that could be a job too big for him.
"I certainly wouldn't have Pochettino back, that is for sure. His name's always mentioned. But no, you've got to move on from that. I think they've had some good managers there, [Jose] Mourinho, [Antonio] Conte. The manager who's at West Ham [Nuno Espirito Santo].
"I think I said from day one, I've never been sure about De Zerbi being a Tottenham manager, but I think he's got to be given a few more games yet to see if he can turn it around."
Who is the best option for Tottenham?
It has been clear for some time that the problems at Tottenham go beyond just the current manager.
But what the Lilywhites likely need is a character with the presence and the authority to change those above him, too, just as Mikel Arteta has done at Arsenal.
Hurzeler may be the man for that task, and there are some comparisons to be drawn between him and the 42-year-old Pochettino Tottenham hired in 2014.
Perhaps it is rather the Argentine himself who has the magic touch in North London.
Whatever the solution is, Tottenham will not be hasty on making a decision and will retain hope that De Zerbi can find form with his team.