Brighton and Hove Albion CEO Paul Barber has said on The Beautiful Game Podcast that he does not want Roberto De Zerbi to leave for Tottenham Hotspur as a potential replacement for Antonio Conte.
Barber has praised De Zerbi for the work that he has done at Brighton, and has made it clear that he does not want the Italian manager to leave for Premier League rivals Tottenham.
Tottenham have been linked with De Zerbi as a potential replacement for Conte.
The former Chelsea and Inter Milan boss is out of contract at Spurs at the end of the season.
According to The Telegraph, De Zerbi will be on a list of managerial candidates that Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy will consider should he decide to move on from Conte at the end of the season.
The Italian replaced Graham Potter at Chelsea earlier in the season.
Paul Barber on Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi amid Tottenham rumour
Barber said: “It’s part and parcel of what I said earlier. The more successful you are, the higher profile you get, the more scrutiny there is on you, the more likelihood people are going to look at your own staff and players and therefore look at them for their own clubs.
“We are aware of that, we are conscious of that. We have certainly got no desire to see Roberto go anywhere for some time, but he is a hugely talented coach.
“Again, a bit like Moises Caicedo,he could go on to be whatever he wants to be, and he is still young.”
HITC Verdict: Move could happen
In our view, Tottenham Hotspur could be able to appoint Brighton and Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi as their head coach in the summer of 2023.
Yes, Barber is now publicly saying that the 43-year-old is happy at Brighton and will not leave, but let us face it – the chance to manage Tottenham could be too tempting for him.
Now, we do not think that the Italian will force a move out of Brighton or resign to go to Spurs.
It will be done amicably, with Tottenham likely to pay a compensation fee for the Italian.
If Spurs come calling for De Zerbi, then we do not see him turning it down or Brighton stopping him from leaving.
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