Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Mon 30 March 2026 20:00, UK

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Roberto De Zerbi is reportedly edging closer to being named the next Tottenham Hotspur manager.

The former Brighton boss is available after leaving Marseille in February, and has emerged as the number one choice at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Negotiations are now reportedly ongoing, as Tottenham attempt to convince De Zerbi to step in before the end of the season.

The possibility of relegation has put off several candidates, but the Italian appears to be ready to attempt to guide the Lilywhites away.

Tottenham’s next manager will likely be in place for next week’s visit to take on Sunderland in the first of seven key games for Premier League safety.

What Pep Guardiola said about Roberto De Zerbi

Football Insider exclusively revealed on Sunday that De Zerbi wants to return to the Premier League, almost two years after he left Brighton.

There was little known in England about the Italian before his 2022 arrival at the American Express Stadium, but he would go on to make a big impression.

The 46-year-old’s football was intense and dangerous, and hugely exciting. The Seagulls pressed like no other team, and played out of the back, no matter who they were against.

After replacing Graham Potter, De Zerbi guided his team to their best-ever top-flight league finish in the 2022-23 season when they qualified for European football in sixth.

While his second season did not live up to the same standard amid the key departures of Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister, it still came as a shock when it was announced that he was leaving at the end of the season.

After less than two seasons with Marseille, however, the Italian could be set to return to the Premier League with Tottenham.

Speaking about De Zerbi in 2023, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said: “Roberto is one of the most influential managers in the last 20 years.

“There is no team playing the way they play – it’s unique. I had the feeling when he arrived the impact he would have in the Premier League would be great – I didn’t expect him to do it in this short space of time.

“He creates 20 or 25 chances per game, better by far than most opponents. He monopolises the ball in a way it hasn’t been for a long time. They deserve completely the success they have.”

What Mikel Arteta and Jurgen Klopp said about De Zerbi

Tottenham fans have shared plenty of doubts over the appointment of De Zerbi in recent days.

The manager is known to butt heads with boards – an issue that eventually led to his departure from Marseille.

And there are concerns about his ability to provide the mix of authority and support that Tottenham may well need to pull themselves out of the fire.

There can be few doubts over his tactics, however. Speaking about him in 2023, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said: “I know him and have spoken to him a few times about different topics.

“I’ve followed his career since he was at Sassuolo, before he moved to Ukraine. It’s very impressive what he’s done, the way his teams play and what he’s accomplished in the Premier League as well.”

And the praise for De Zerbi does not stop there. Before Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool were due to face Brighton in 2024, the German said: “Roberto is doing an incredible job there, it’s a different game against Brighton.

“We were the first opponents when Roberto arrived and we had no idea what to expect. It was quite impressive how quick he got the team playing in his way. Since then it only got better.”

It is clear that De Zerbi brings a great pedigree. He has never quite found himself in a situation like the one in North London, however, and his adaptation will be crucial.