Tottenham Hotspur’s managerial preference has seemingly emerged following Igor Tudor’s departure
With Italian manager Roberto De Zerbi among the leading candidates being considered for the Tottenham Hotspur hotseat, it will go down well with the current fanbase that he has already had a running with an Arsenal star. De Zerbi was at the centre of a notable clash with Leandro Trossard during the pair’s time together at Brighton, a dispute that ultimately prompted the Belgian winger to join Spurs’ neighbours.
Tottenham are on their lookout for a third manager of the season after Igor Tudor left by mutual agreement off the back of just one point from five league matches. De Zerbi, who lasted less than two seasons at his most recent employers Marseille, is one of several managerial candidates in contention to take over.
The 46-year-old oversaw 69 matches at Marseille and 89 at Brighton, having previously managed in Italy and Ukraine. He parted ways with Brighton at the conclusion of the 2023/24 season, over a year after a falling-out with Trossard that effectively brought the former Genk ace’s time at the Amex Stadium to an abrupt end.
In January 2023, De Zerbi alleged that Trossard had walked out of a training session without authorisation after learning he would not be selected for the FA Cup third-round tie. The forward never featured for Brighton again, completing a move to Arsenal later that month, although Trossard publicly contested his former manager’s account of events as his agent gave his side of the story.
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“He left the session without saying anything to me,” De Zerbi said. “And it’s not good. I spoke with him, and I explained this attitude [and] behaviour, I don’t like.
“I am open with him to take a step back and listen to him, but he has to understand me; I want only players who work hard and play for the team 100 per cent.”
Trossard moved to Arsenal for a fee rising to £27million on January 20, assisting the north London side in pushing Manchester City all the way in the title race. De Zerbi’s claim was contested by the player’s representative, who indicated a contract extension at Brighton had been explored before the 2022 World Cup only for things to ultimately turn sour.
“In the run-up to the game against Middlesbrough for the FA Cup, Leandro had already indicated twice that he had problems with his calf,” Trossard’s agent said in a statement. “This was the reason why he stopped training. This was, incidentally, in consultation with the medical staff.
“The manager told Leandro that he had to train separately. Last Monday, the manager humiliated Leandro in group and indicated that he no longer wanted to see him. A manager who has not communicated directly with his player for four weeks is really incomprehensible.
“Incidentally, it is also the manager who has indicated several times that a transfer is the most convenient solution. It is therefore important that Brighton cooperates with a potential transfer during this transfer period and shows a benevolent attitude, which is beneficial to both parties.”
The remainder of the 2022/23 campaign proved successful for De Zerbi and Brighton, who secured their finest ever Premier League finish of sixth place. They occupied a top-half position for most of the subsequent season but ultimately ended in 11th, with their manager’s departure confirmed shortly before the final game of the season.
Trossard recently marked three years as an Arsenal player, having agreed enhanced terms last August and continued to show his value under Mikel Arteta. He brought up 150 appearances for the London outfit this season and has netted five league goals this term to help them occupy top spot in the title race with just seven matches remaining.
Rivals Tottenham, by contrast, sit merely one point above the relegation zone. De Zerbi had reportedly been hesitant to accept the manager’s position at the club until the summer, but it has since been suggested that his position has softened.
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