Tottenham Hotspur have had six permanent managers since Mauricio Pochettino’s sacking in 2019. They have also had multiple interim managers, with Ryan Mason fulfilling the role twice.
With three managers this season, it’s evident that Tottenham aren’t a stable club at the moment. They have now appointed Roberto De Zerbi, giving him a five-year deal and making him one of the highest-paid managers in the Premier League.
While the Italian’s first task is to save Spurs from relegation, he has reportedly been promised a huge role in the long term. The Italian is expected to have a proper managerial role at the club instead of just being a head coach.
Tottenham give Roberto De Zerbi a role like Sir Alex Ferguson
Sir Alex Ferguson built an immense legacy at Manchester United, winning 13 Premier League titles, among numerous other honors, in 26 years. He was not only their head coach but also had a huge influence on transfers and many other decisions at the club.
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As per Gazzetta dello Sport, Tottenham have offered De Zerbi a similar role at the club. They have promised him a structure where he would have a big influence off the pitch as well. He will have a big say in transfers, long-term planning, squad building, and more.
In recent years, a lot of managers work under defined structures, with numerous people above them making decisions. Even the likes of Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta, who have immense influence at their clubs, have to work under such constraints.
However, Tottenham are looking to offer De Zerbi a Sir Alex-type control at the club. This also helped them convince the Italian to join them this month. He was insistent on waiting until the summer, but a big financial offer and the promise of influence convinced him to join with seven games remaining.
A huge risk by Tottenham
Many pundits, like Simon Jordan, have already criticized Tottenham’s big financial offer to De Zerbi. However, giving him an influence like Ferguson could be another big gamble by the Spurs board.
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The Italian has already become a divisive figure in the Spurs fanbase due to his past comments about Mason Greenwood. He is also known to be a volatile figure, having fallen out with the owners at Brighton and Marseille. This has also seen him leave most of his clubs in less than two years.
One thing De Zerbi would look for, however, is technically sound players, which Tottenham are in dire need of. His playing style, which Pep Guardiola hailed as “unique”, requires intelligent and capable players.
Hence, even if he leaves in a year, De Zerbi will arguably sign better players for the club than Joao Palhinha and Conor Gallagher.
