'A considerable gamble' at 'a fragile moment'
[BBC] [Getty Images] Only Tottenham would respond to the current bin fire at the club by turning to a famously incendiary manager to put out the flames. After tens of thousands of supporters lined the streets in an act of unity, the Tottenham board split the fanbase by appointing Roberto de Zerbi. The Italian, known for his high-pressing, attacking football, arrives with a reputation that has already prompted concern from supporter groups and the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust.
The questions around hiring a manager with so much baggage from his time at Marseille will dominate opinion within Spurs circles, but an equally pressing question is whether he has the tactical quick-fix credentials to pull this team out of the mire. Spurs are a collection of individuals bereft of confidence and technical ability. Under Igor Tudor, they showed the energy to outrun opponents, but in possession it was little more than hit and hope, far removed from De Zerbi's style.
Three years ago, he was at the cutting edge of build-up play, but the Premier League has evolved. Teams now sit deeper, wait for mistakes, and punish them through set pieces or long throws. By the end of his time at Brighton, opponents had begun to expose the chinks in his setup.
He will need to adapt quickly. There is also a personnel issue. This squad is packed with direct dribblers and box-to-box midfielders.
One of De Zerbi's first challenges will be to develop a midfield capable of operating as a double pivot, comfortable receiving under pressure. The defence must also learn the intricacies of building from deep, a clear shift from the more direct approaches under previous managers. History and his record suggest his methods take time to embed.