Liverpool's snub of Jurgen Klopp replacement candidate should serve as warning for Tottenham

Tottenham are searching for a new manager with Roberto De Zerbi among the candidates, but Mark Lawrenson previously warned the Italian's public transfer demands could deter top clubs

Roberto De Zerbi, who was once in the running to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, is looking for a new club again(Image: Neal Simpson/Allstar, Getty Images)

Roberto De Zerbi stands out as one of the more intriguing candidates to take charge at Tottenham.

The Italian is available after leaving Marseille and brings Premier League experience, although Spurs may harbour concerns for the same reason that reportedly put Liverpool off pursuing him. De Zerbi's departure from the Stade Velodrome was confirmed within the same 24 hours that saw Thomas Frank sacked by Spurs.

The opportunity to secure De Zerbi without a transfer fee is appealing, especially considering his strong record at Brighton, Marseille, and Sassuolo. Liverpool was said to be keen on the then-Seagulls boss towards the end of the 2023/24 season as Jurgen Klopp prepared to depart. Anfield legend Xabi Alonso was also mentioned as a possible candidate following his outstanding work at Bayer Leverkusen, but the position ultimately went to Arne Slot.

Reds icon Mark Lawrenson would have been pleased with that outcome after warning his former club against hiring De Zerbi. His concern was that De Zerbi had gone too far by publicly urging Brighton to bolster their squad, conduct he considered unsuitable for someone who might hope to manage a club of Liverpool's standing.

"We've seen how much money they've made this year," he told Paddy Power at the time.

"I thought Roberto De Zerbi was a bit naughty last week, saying he wants more players. Brighton gave him his big gig, and he's done very, very well.

"But once you go down that route of asking for more players, and maybe his agent is speaking to other clubs, I don't think Liverpool will go anywhere near him. He's a good manager, but I think he is getting carried away."

Tottenham fired Thomas Frank on Wednesday(Image: Getty)

De Zerbi led Brighton to their finest-ever Premier League finish when they claimed sixth spot in the 2022/23 campaign. He also took the Seagulls to the FA Cup semi-finals that season, with Alexis Mac Allister bagging 12 goals as their leading scorer.

Mac Allister was among several high-profile departures in 2023, along with Moises Caicedo, who left in what was then a British record £115 million ($146M) transfer to Chelsea. As often occurs when clubs enter European competition for the first time, Brighton's domestic performances suffered, and Lawrenson believed De Zerbi displayed a hint of arrogance by airing his complaints publicly.

"Brighton haven't had a particularly good season," he continued. "He's not dealt with the extra games and blamed it on not having enough players. De Zerbi won't go to Liverpool, and he might've put one or two prospective club owners off him.

"Brighton are a well-run club. They got £22M for Graham Potter and his backroom staff. They'll just get another manager in, and being run the way that they are, they probably know who their next manager is."

De Zerbi's divisive style didn't disappear after his departure from the Amex Stadium. During his time at Marseille, he openly criticized the club's recruitment policy on several occasions and clashed with certain players owing to his demanding approach.

While his availability might appear appealing, the turbulent nature surrounding him may not align with Tottenham's current situation. Sitting merely five points clear of the relegation zone, Spurs require steadiness and structure, with Lawrenson's earlier remarks hinting that De Zerbi might not provide the solution they're seeking.