Paul Merson has shared in The Daily Star what he has been told about Brighton and Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi amid speculation linking him as a potential replacement for Antonio Conte at Tottenham Hotspur.
The former Arsenal star has raved about De Zerbi and has outlined just why he rates the Tottenham-linked manager highly.
The Sky Sports pundit has disclosed what he has been told about the 43-year-old Italian manager, who was appointed the Brighton boss earlier in the season after Graham Potter left for Chelsea.
Merson has also said that Tottenham could offer De Zerbi the managerial role if he does well between now and the end of the season.
Brighton has an outside chance of finishing in the Premier League top four and is also in the FA Cup.
According to The Telegraph, De Zerbi will be on a list of managerial candidates Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy will consider should he decide to move on from Antonio Conte at the end of the season.
PAUL MERSON ON TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR-LINKED ROBERTO DE ZERBI
Merson wrote: “I’ve heard stories about De Zerbi through a third party that he’s the best coach they have worked under. I’m talking about players who have played under a lot of good coaches.
“He also turned down the Bologna job out of respect for the late Sinisa Mihajlovic, who had yet to have been sacked. It just shows the man is in class. He has principles.
“Brighton arguably lost their best player in Leandro Trossard to Arsenal in January for £27million and still, they’ve continued to evolve. The Moises Caicedo saga was also handled so admirably.”
HITC VERDICT: ROBERTO DE ZERBI TO TOTTENHAM IS POSSIBLE
In our view, Tottenham Hotspur could be able to bring Roberto De Zerbi to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at the end of the season.
Yes, Brighton and Hove Albion will not want to lose the Italian manager, but they may not be willing to stop him from leaving if he does fancy a move to Tottenham.
Spurs will have to pay a decent compensation fee, but if Levy is keen on the Italian, then he will simply have to do so.
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