Tottenham Hotspur have been through their fair share of managers over the years, and the Londoners are gearing up for their third appointment of the campaign, with Roberto De Zerbi closing in on the vacant position.
How we arrived here is a complicated subject, but it’s clear to see that Spurs are in real danger of being relegated from the Premier League, something that has never happened in its modern version, just a point ahead of 18th-place West Ham United with seven games to go. The Hammers have only lost twice since January, whereas Igor Tudor picked up just one point from six matches down N17.
Time is running out, and while Tottenham have rolled the dice and moved to appoint a manager described as “one of the best managers in the world” by Liverpool boss Arne Slot, it’s undoubtedly a risky gambit from ENIC Group.
Why Spurs are pushing for De Zerbi
De Zerbi isn’t the most experienced manager in England, but he did impress when at the Brighton helm, and the extensive groundwork that Johan Lange and Vinai Venkatesham have put in underlines his potential in the dugout.
Of course, De Zerbi’s one and only objective is going to be staving off the imminent threat of relegation. Until that checkpoint has been reached, wider plans are immaterial.
Ambitious and an exponent of a unique attack-focused possession game, De Zerbi differs greatly from Thomas Frank and Tudor. This in itself is a risk, with little time for a new coach to implement fresh ideas – and with so much on the line.
However, it’s hard to make a case for either of De Zerbi’s potential predecessors having any success with more pragmatic takes.
Premier League 23/24 – Highest Average Possession
Club
Position
Av. Possession
Man City
1st
65.2
Tottenham
5th
61.6
Liverpool
3rd
61.3
Brighton
11th
59.8
Chelsea
6th
58.6
When De Zerbi last managed in the Premier League, he turned Brighton into a dynamic attacking outfit. If he can replicate the success – in far more treacherous circumstances – at Tottenham, he could be hailed as a hero, but he must get the team selection right.
Indeed, fans will expect to see a number of things cemented from the off under the Italian’s wing.
How Spurs could line up under De Zerbi
Tottenham would appoint an intense, vocal manager in De Zerbi, and maybe that’s what these beleaguered players need: a rousing leader who will whip them into shape.
It says a lot that Archie Gray, a 20-year-old prospect, has emerged as Tottenham’s most mature and galvanising player in recent weeks, a shining light throughout this desperately dark spell, making good on praise from Redknapp last year that he is a “future Tottenham captain“.
Gray will play a big part for the reason of the season, be that in his natural centre-midfield role or out wide, a moonlit job he has been assigned more than a few times throughout his Tottenham career. He’s got the talent, actually hailed as a “future £100m” midfielder by analyst Ben Mattinson.
Lucas Bergvall‘s return from injury has come at a fortuitous time too. The young Swede has just as much talent as Gray, and his technical skill has even seen him compared to an ex-Lilywhite in Luka Modric, one of the greatest passers of his time.
The Athletic’s JJ Bull actually said that the teenager has a first touch that is “like Modric” at the heart of the pitch, and this kind of skill will be crucial in getting the new system up and running.
Stylish up-and-coming talents such as these two can make a difference over the next several weeks, but Tottenham need to eradicate errors from their game, and that could mean De Zerbi needs to make a few tough calls, such as dropping Pedro Porro.
Porro might be one of the most talented players at the club, but Spurs aren’t getting bang for their buck on the pitch, and with the Spaniard leaking mistakes from right-back, it could be time for Djed Spence to shift back into his natural berth.
Pedro Porro’s Premier League Error Count
Season
Apps
Errors
25/26
27
5
24/25
33
2
23/24
35
4
22/23
15
1
Does Porro have a future at Tottenham? His playmaking ability is top-class, but too much has been left to be desired over the past few years, and he’s been abject this season.
It’s clear that many at this club need a clean break, and perhaps it’s time for Porro to leave, with De Zerbi ushering in a new era and retaining the players who can make a marked difference over a number of years.
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