Fabrizio Romano has confirmed Tottenham’s interest in a managerial target amid links to Manchester United.
Manchester United currently sit fourth in the Premier League and remain in the driving seat for Champions League football next season after going five games unbeaten under Michael Carrick.
After doubts about his experience in managing a top side from some fans and pundits alike, Carrick was recently confirmed as Premier League manager of the month.
Despite the initial success the United legend has shown, numerous reports have reiterated INEOS’s desire not to rush to a decision to appoint a manager for next season.
With Tottenham Hotspur also employing an interim manager in Igor Tudor after the sacking of Thomas Frank, it is expected that the two sides will be competing for managers in the same elite pool.
Roberto De Zerbi open to Premier League return
Roberto De Zerbi has garnered a reputation as one of the best tactical minds in Europe, and with good reason. Whether it has been at Sassuolo, Shakhtar Donetsk, Brighton and most recently Marseille, he has always played an attractive and entertaining brand of football that goes toe-to-toe with the biggest sides in the world.
However, the Italian is currently out of a job after a bombshell announcement, where he left Marseille by ‘mutual consent’ following a group phase exit in the Champions League and a 5-0 loss to PSG in the league, despite Marseille sitting fourth in Ligue 1.
With both Spurs and United looking for managers, and both sides previously eyeing up De Zerbi for a move in the past, it is no surprise to see the two clubs linked once again.
Fabrizio Romano recently confirmed that De Zerbi is open to a Premier League return and that Spurs have concrete interest. However, it’s unlikely the Italian will make a decision soon, which could give United hope if they choose to proceed with the ex-Seagulls boss.
Speaking in a recent YouTube video, the Italian journalist said, “Roberto De Zerbi is highly appreciated internally [by Tottenham] and would be open to returning to Premier League football. However, De Zerbi is not a coach who jumps into an opportunity.
“He wants to understand very clearly what kind of project, opportunities there are at any club interested in him. He had plenty of opportunities over the last two or three years, and he also wanted to decide in a very clear way before making any decisions.
“Tottenham’s interest is confirmed, but De Zerbi is assessing the wider market as more positions could open up across Europe between now and the summer.”
United should look elsewhere
De Zerbi would undoubtedly bring character, discipline, and aggression to Manchester United, but the same qualities that earn him praise may be why he would not be a good fit for the club.
The Italian is wedded to his tactical idea, and we have already seen this recently with both Erik Ten Hag and Ruben Amorim: such stubbornness always ends the same way.
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Furthermore, United need stability and a calming presense which is why Carrick has performed so excellently. De Zerbi has a history of being overemotional and hot-headed, as evidenced recently by his sudden departure from Marseille and the publicised dispute he had with former player Ismael Kone.
The Red Devils need someone with the temperament and composure to handle the pressure of being Manchester United manager.
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