Pep Guardiola has told Tottenham exactly what they want to hear about Roberto De Zerbi

Pep Guardiola has previously explained why Roberto De Zerbi would be a brilliant fit for Tottenham Hotspur.

Pep Guardiola has told Tottenham Hotspur exactly what they want to hear about Roberto De Zerbi.

After mutually parting ways with Igor Tudor, Vinai Venkatesham and Johan Lange have been tasked with appointing a manager who will not only keep the Lilywhites in the Premier League but also lead them back into the UEFA Champions League. So, the Spurs chiefs have set their sights on the former Marseille boss.

football.london understands there's a feeling within Tottenham that they're closing in on De Zerbi, whose brand of football aligns with those in the boardroom. Regardless of whether the Italian takes the job, the Lilywhites expect to appoint a head coach in the coming days.

Tottenham want somebody in place to welcome back those who reported for international duty, giving the squad enough time to prepare for the clash against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on April 12. If De Zerbi were to fill the vacancy, he'd have just under two weeks to work with his new players at Hotspur Way.

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Although there would be question marks over whether the 46-year-old could instil his core ideas and principles in such a short time, Guardiola has given Spurs every reason to take a leap of faith. Since first locking horns in October 2022, he and De Zerbi have grown to become friends.

The Manchester City boss previously described the Italian as 'one of the most influential managers in last 20 years' following a brilliant debut campaign at Brighton. In his first season at the Amex Stadium, De Zerbi helped the Seagulls qualify for the Europa League.

In May 2023, Guardiola said: "There is no team playing the way they play - it's unique. I had the feeling when he arrived the impact he would have in the Premier League would be great - I didn't expect him to do it in this short space of time.

"He creates 20 or 25 chances per game, better by far than most opponents. He monopolises the ball in a way it hasn't been for a long time. They deserve completely the success they have."

Guardiola added: "If you don’t play at a high level, he can do whatever he wants against you. They completely deserve the compliments and the success that they have. It’s one of the teams that I try to learn a lot from; it’s unique."

In October 2023, Guardiola heaped praise on De Zerbi for his ability to play such an exciting brand of football without any 'top players', which certainly bodes well for Tottenham. The Spaniard said: "I think I admire him for the fact it doesn’t matter the team he plays.

"He proved you don’t have to be in a top, top, top club or with top, top exceptional players to make your team play how you like to play. He came from Italy, and the way he plays is a little counter-cultural, and it doesn’t matter what happens.

"He plays [with] Sassuolo and teams who may not be considered the top, top, top ones, it doesn’t matter, [we] have the ball, we are going to play, to play, to play. I’m a spectator mainly as a manager, and I enjoy a lot watching his teams play, I learn, like it, and what he does makes sense.

"It’s not a surprise the success his teams have because he is playing deservedly. Even when they lost to Villa, he plays his own style, it doesn’t matter transitions, deflections, Aston Villa, a top side this season for the quality they have with the manager and players, but they do [play], it doesn’t matter."

Although they haven't faced each other since April 2024, they remain friends. In February 2026, De Zerbi and Guardiola met in Brescia, Italy; they took a selfie and it went viral on social media!