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A highly-rated Portuguese coach rejected Tottenham Hotspur’s advances long before Roberto De Zerbi was even contacted.
All indications are that Roberto De Zerbi will become Tottenham’s third different head coach this season, with the Italian set to seal a return to the Premier League, two years on from his exit from Brighton.
Spurs have reportedly offered De Zerbi a very lucrative five-year contract, which shows how keen they were to bring him through the door.
However, reports are now emerging from South America that the Lilywhites had also approached another highly-rated coach, who has been making a name for himself in Brazil.
Abel Ferreira turned down Tottenham’s advances
Journalist Diego Firmino reported a couple of days ago that Palmeiras boss Abel Ferreira had been approached by Spurs.
The 47-year-old, who was previously in charge of Braga and PAOK, has built a legacy at Palmeiras, having won many trophies in his seven years at the club, including two league titles and two Copa Libertadores.
Another report in ESPN Brazil also confirms that Tottenham did make contact with Ferreira, but they claim that the contact did not happen now.
They reveal that Spurs reached out to the Portuguese coach last month before Igor Tudor was handed the job, with the Lilywhites wanting to know whether the Palmeiras boss would be interested in taking charge until the end of the season.
However, Ferreira rejected the chance to sign a short-term contract with Tottenham and decided to stay put at the Brazilian giants.
Many are questioning Spurs’ decision to turn to De Zerbi
Some pundits have suggested that De Zerbi is not the safe pair of hands Tottenham need right now, despite his impressive coaching CV.
Others have questioned why Spurs did not turn to someone who knows the club well, given the crisis that is ongoing in North London.
The Tottenham leadership have certainly made a bold call by entrusting the Italian with the job of averting relegation.
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