Roberto De Zerbi ‘stance on Man United job’ with Carrick and Tottenham issue
Roberto De Zerbi has been linked with both the Manchester United and Tottenham jobs in the summer
Roberto De Zerbi has been linked with both the Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur jobs (Image: Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Manchester United managerial target Roberto De Zerbi is reportedly ‘keen’ on the Old Trafford job in the summer, in what could be a blow to both Michael Carrick and Tottenham Hotspur.
United are searching for a manager ahead of the summer, with Carrick serving as interim boss until the end of the season, though he has been mentioned as a contender for the permanent position. Under his guidance, United have secured six victories, one draw and suffered one defeat in their previous eight Premier League fixtures.
That hasn’t prevented the club from being associated with other prospective candidates. According to the Telegraph, former Brighton and Hove Albion boss Roberto De Zerbi is ‘of interest’ to United and features ‘prominently’ on the club’s shortlist.
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The report adds that the Italian is ‘keen’ on the role. De Zerbi is currently without a club after departing Ligue 1 outfit Marseille back in February.
He has been linked with the Tottenham position, which is expected to become available in the summer. Spurs named Igor Tudor as manager on an interim basis following the dismissal of Thomas Frank.
Tottenham are battling against relegation to the Championship, but The Telegraph suggests that should they survive, then De Zerbi could be viewed as a long-term solution for the club.
Spurs are currently sat in 16th place in the Premier League table, one point above the bottom three. Given the club’s current standing and the prospect of Champions League football returning to Old Trafford next season, United is likely to prove a more appealing destination for potential candidates in the summer.
Alongside De Zerbi, United have been associated with other prospective managers, including Oliver Glasner, Julian Nagelsmann and Carlo Ancelotti.
Meanwhile, Tottenham have been heavily linked with Mauricio Pochettino’s return, with the Argentine declining to dismiss a potential summer switch following the World Cup.
Speaking during a radio interview in Spain, he said: “I’m always linked [to clubs], to Tottenham, just like at one time I was linked to Espanyol, or to other clubs. In the end, especially because of my past at those clubs, when things aren’t going well, people tend to fall back on emotions and say, ‘Well, with Mauricio we played good football’, or whatever it may be.
“But no. We’re focused on the World Cup, on the United States. My contract runs until after the World Cup, so after that we’ll see what might happen. Open to everything, right?”.
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