Roberto De Zerbi edges closer to Premier League return, he’s now odds-on favourite for new job
Roberto De Zerbi could be on the verge of sealing a return to management in the Premier League in the coming weeks.
The former Brighton boss has been away from English football since he left the South Coast outfit at the end of the 2023-24 campaign, and is now in charge of Marseille in France.
De Zerbi has been linked with several Premier League jobs of late, ahead of his contract at Marseille entering its final year at the end of the current season.
The Italian’s side were knocked out of the Champions League in midweek, as their defeat away at Club Brugge allowed Benfica to leapfrog them in the table, and speculation regarding his future is refusing to go away.
Roberto De Zerbi in line to replace Thomas Frank at Tottenham
Tottenham are targeting a manager with Premier League experience if they are forced into sacking Thomas Frank in the coming weeks, and De Zerbi is certainly someone who fits that profile.
The 46-year-old led Brighton to Europa League qualification for the first time in their history in 2022-23, when a sixth-place finish saw them secure European football for the following campaign.
He departed the Amex Stadium at the end of his contract, and has since begun to turn around the fortunes of Marseille, who had been ailing in Ligue 1 prior to his arrival.
Frank’s position remains under heavy scrutiny despite another win in the Champions League on Wednesday, and a replacement could be needed in the coming weeks if Tottenham are dragged further into the relegation battle.
De Zerbi has now emerged as the favourite to take over from the Dane in North London, with one major bookmaker even slashing his odds down to 4/5, making him the odds-on favourite for the job.
The likes of Xavi, Robbie Keane and Mauricio Pochettino are also in contention for the position, but no one is seen as a more likely candidate than De Zerbi.
Tottenham to battle Man United for De Zerbi appointment
Football Insider revealed earlier in January that Manchester United have spoken with De Zerbi about their managerial position, with Michael Carrick currently only in charge until the end of the season.
The Italian is also emerging as a leading candidate for that position, with a permanent appointment at Old Trafford currently planned for the summer.
Carrick is doing his chances of earning the United job on a full-time basis no harm at the moment, but De Zerbi is likely to be in the frame if they opt for a different candidate.
However, that is unless Tottenham beat them to the appointment.
The Lilywhites’ board remain in full support of Frank at the moment, but the sudden drop in De Zerbi’s odds perhaps suggests that he is being lined up as the immediate replacement if it is needed before the end of the season.