According to talkSPORT, Roberto De Zerbi is unlikely to accept an offer from Tottenham to become their next permanent manager. Tottenham are currently searching for a new manager after the departure of Antonio Conte, who made headlines with his fiery rant after their 3-3 draw at Southampton on March 18. Cristian Stellini, Conte’s assistant, will take charge of the team as acting head coach for the remainder of the season, while Ryan Mason will serve as his assistant.
De Zerbi, the current Brighton boss, has been linked to the position, with Seagulls CEO Paul Barber recently joking in an interview with talkSPORT that he worries every time his phone rings amid interest in the manager. However, talkSPORT understands that should a call come from Spurs, the Italian is unlikely to say yes.
Julian Nagelsmann, who recently lost his job as Bayern Munich manager, has been heavily linked with the position. However, talkSPORT’s Simon Jordan has warned Spurs against pursuing the “potentially prickly” German. “His record is very impressive,” the former Crystal Palace owner said before both Nagelsmann’s and Conte’s respective departures were confirmed. “It’s not quite up there with Pep Guardiola’s in terms of the win-rate with Bayern Munich, but he’s running at a 71 per cent win record.”
“You look at the elite managers that are around and you look at Nagelsmann, he’s a young manager so he’s going to make mistakes, he’s going to make judgements that potentially put him on the wrong side of experience. But if you’re suggesting someone with that record needs to be taken out, it really can’t be reasons on the field, it has to be his relationships in the boardroom and the manner in which he conducts himself off the pitch.”
“My first thought was, is that the next port of call for Daniel Levy? It depends what Daniel Levy wants to do, and if he does what I think he should do – which is give Antonio Conte a dropkick into the next life – then Nagelsmann is a discussion they could have. But if you’re talking about someone who is potentially prickly and problematic… if managers cannot work with the people they actually work for, it doesn’t matter how good you are, you’re always going to find yourself on the wrong side on an argument.”
In conclusion, Tottenham’s search for a new permanent manager continues, with De Zerbi unlikely to accept an offer from the club and Nagelsmann being warned against by talkSPORT’s Simon Jordan. It remains to be seen who will manage the team in the long-term.