Tottenham Hotspur Chairman, Daniel Levy, is reportedly considering potential replacements for current manager, Antonio Conte, whose contract is set to expire at the end of the season. As noted by The Athletic’s David Ornstein, it is likely that Conte will move on, leaving Levy and his team to search for a new long-term appointment.
One potential candidate is Roberto De Zerbi, current manager of Brighton and Hove Albion. The 43-year-old Italian has impressed during his brief stint at the club, leading the Seagulls to European contention. However, doubts remain as to whether he would be the right fit for Tottenham, given the pressures of working at an elite club with a hungry fanbase.
Levy and co may be tempted to turn to De Zerbi as an alternative to rehiring former manager Mauricio Pochettino. However, they should be wary of the potential risks involved. The example of Graham Potter at Chelsea serves as a cautionary tale, with the Englishman struggling to adapt to the pressures of managing a top-tier club.
Potter’s experience at Chelsea highlights the challenges that managers can face when stepping up to a higher level. Although he has overseen three wins in his last three games, the former Brighton manager has faced intense scrutiny since taking on the high-profile job, with his record making for grim reading.
As pundit Stan Collymore has suggested, De Zerbi may be better served to “bide his time” at Brighton and Hove Albion, rather than making the move to Tottenham too soon. It is important for Levy to take the time to find the right fit for the club, in order to avoid making another costly managerial mistake.
Ultimately, the decision to hire a new manager is a crucial one for Tottenham. Levy must consider the risks involved in appointing a manager who has yet to prove themselves at the highest level, and take the time to carefully evaluate potential candidates.