Manager tipped to replace Thomas Frank at Tottenham leaves job | Football | Sport
Roberto De Zerbi has left Marseille by mutual consent amid links with the Tottenham Hotspur job. Current Spurs head coach, Thomas Frank, is under increasing pressure in north London after their 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United on Tuesday night.
The club are languishing in 16th in the Premier League following their seventh home defeat in 13 matches. Spurs sit five points clear of the relegation zone, only spared the deficit being reduced by Benjamin Sesko’s late equaliser for Manchester United against West Ham United. Frank is facing increasing pressure around his position and, with De Zerbi back on the managerial merry-go-round, the intensity is likely to be cranked up.
De Zerbi left Marseille on Wednesday morning following uncertainty in recent weeks. The Italian goes days after a 5-0 drubbing to the reigning French champions Paris Saint-Germain and their agonising Champions League exit, missing out on goal-difference after a sensational late goal from Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin against Real Madrid.
The Ligue 1 side said in a statement: “Olympique de Marseille and Roberto De Zerbi, coach of the first team, have announced the end of their collaboration by mutual agreement. Following discussions between all stakeholders in the club’s management – the owner, president, director of football, and coach – it was decided to make a change at the helm of the first-team.
“This was a difficult collective decision, taken after careful consideration in the best interests of the club, in order to respond to the sporting challenges of the end of the season.”
De Zerbi has been repeatedly linked with some of the top jobs in Europe and the Premier League after establishing himself as a household name following his heroics in charge of Brighton & Hove Albion. Manchester United have been among them – and are currently scouring the market for their next manager, as Michael Carrick performs wonders in the interim.
For Spurs, they find themselves in a battle to beat the drop, less than 12 months after winning the Europa League. Frank replaced Ange Postecoglou in light of the triumph but the start to the Dane’s tenure hasn’t lived up to expectation and the former Brentford head coach is being forced to field questions over his future.
Speaking to TNT Sports after Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat to the Magpies he said: “No. I spoke to them [the owners] yesterday, so no [update on future]. We understand we are not in a top position and we need to do everything we can to work very hard to get out of.
“I understand the frustration and the easiest thing is to point at me. That’s fair and part of the job, unfortunately. I will work day and night to do everything to turn it around but it’s fair to say it’s never only one person. I think it’s fair to say we’ve been in this situation last year. It’s something we need to get through and improve and I’m not in doubt that I’m part of that.”
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