If only things were as simple as the football games you play at home on your computer, where one could trade up Thomas Frank for Roberto De Zerbi, and all would instantly improve.
It wouldn’t necessarily be a bad bet for Tottenham in the real world, but he comes with notable risks and question marks that could make his appointment frustratingly inconsistent, depending on how he meshes with the club’s structure, squad, and expectations. Oh, and injuries, we can’t ignore them.
De Zerbi has just left Marseille by mutual consent as of February 11, 2026, following a string of damaging results, including a heavy 5-0 defeat to PSG and their Champions League exit. This has immediately fuelled links to Tottenham, where current manager Thomas Frank is under intense pressure amid an eight-match Premier League winless run, with Spurs sitting precariously low in the table (around 15th-16th) and facing relegation concerns.
De Zerbi is a strong stylistic fit on paper for a club like Tottenham that often aspires to attractive, possession-based football.
His time at Brighton (2022-2024) showcased an exciting, progressive style: high pressing, building from the back, fluid attacking patterns, and developing young talents. He turned Brighton into a top-half side and earned praise for tactical innovation.
Spurs’ squad has creative players (e.g., attacking midfielders, wingers) who could thrive in his systems, and his Premier League experience is a plus—he knows the league’s intensity and demands.
Roberto has also been admired by parts of the Tottenham hierarchy in the past (links date back to 2023, though he reportedly underwhelmed Daniel Levy in interviews then). With recent reports positioning him as a leading candidate if Frank departs—sometimes odds-on favourite, so he’s clearly in the conversation.
Recent struggles at Marseille — His tenure ended poorly despite high expectations (they finished second last season). Heavy defeats, player tensions, and European underperformance raise questions about his ability to handle high-pressure environments consistently. Marseille is a volatile club, but the pattern of dramatic highs and lows echoes some criticisms from his Brighton days (e.g., defensive vulnerabilities when the press fails).
Personality and fit with Spurs’ setup — De Zerbi is known for strong principles—he rarely compromises on style, which can lead to clashes. Tottenham has a history of boardroom influence (e.g., Levy’s cautious approach) and potential mismatches with headstrong managers. If the squad isn’t fully bought in or lacks the technical quality for his build-up play, it could lead to exposed defences and bad results, similar to how some of his Brighton spells had wild swings.
Track record in big moments — While tactically astute, his teams have sometimes faltered against elite opposition or in must-win games. Spurs are in a scrap for survival right now; appointing someone whose last job ended in “total despair” (his words after PSG loss) amid mindset questions could feel like a gamble when pragmatism might be needed short-term.
