![\"Roberto](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1770950175_581_0_Paris-Saint-Germain-v-Olympique-de-Marseille-Ligue-1-McDonalds-20252026.jpg\")
<\/p>\nRoberto De Zerbi is among the candidates to replace Thomas Frank as Tottenham manager, but Premier League rivals Liverpool were once warned off the Italian<\/p>\n
Tom Sunderland Sports Writer<\/p>\n
13:15, 12 Feb 2026<\/p>\n
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Liverpool were previously warned off appointing Tottenham-linked Roberto De Zerbi(Image: Franco Arland, Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Roberto De Zerbi is one of the more tantalising candidates to become Tottenham<\/a>‘s next manager. The Italian is on the market following his exit from Marseille<\/a> and boasts Premier League<\/a> credentials, though Spurs may have reservations for the same reason that allegedly deterred Liverpool from pursuing him<\/a>.<\/p>\n De Zerbi<\/a>‘s departure from the Stade Velodrome was announced within the same 24-hour span that included Thomas Frank’s dismissal by Spurs<\/a>. The prospect of securing De Zerbi on a free transfer is an attractive one, particularly given his impressive track record at Brighton<\/a>, Marseille and Sassuolo.<\/p>\n Liverpool<\/a> were reportedly interested in the then-Seagulls manager towards the conclusion of the 2023\/24 campaign as Jurgen Klopp<\/a> prepared to step aside. Anfield icon Xabi Alonso was also touted as a potential contender after his stellar work at Bayer Leverkusen, but the role eventually went to Arne Slot<\/a>.<\/p>\n Reds legend Mark Lawrenson would have welcomed that outcome after cautioning his former club against appointing De Zerbi. His view was that De Zerbi had overstepped by publicly pushing Brighton to strengthen their squad, behaviour he deemed inappropriate for someone who might aspire to manage a club of Liverpool’s stature.<\/p>\n Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate<\/a> or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings<\/p>\n “We’ve seen how much money they’ve made this year,” he told Paddy Power at the time. “I thought Roberto De Zerbi<\/a> was a bit naughty last week, saying he wants more players. Brighton gave him his big gig, and he’s done very, very well.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Tottenham’s Thomas Frank replacement plan means perfect Mauricio Pochettino solution<\/a>READ MORE: Surprise man tipped for Tottenham job after Thomas Frank sack amid Mauricio Pochettino admission<\/a><\/p>\n “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.”<\/p>\n De Zerbi guided Brighton to their best-ever Premier League finish when they secured sixth place in the 2022\/23 season. He also steered the Seagulls to the FA Cup<\/a> semi-finals that campaign, with Alexis Mac Allister netting 12 goals as their top scorer.<\/p>\n Thomas Frank was shown the door by Spurs on Wednesday(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n Mac Allister was among several big-name exits in 2023, alongside Moises Caicedo, who departed in what was then a British-record \u00a3115million move<\/a> to Chelsea<\/a>. As typically happens when clubs enter European competition for the first time, Brighton’s domestic form dipped, and Lawrenson felt De Zerbi showed a touch of arrogance by making his grievances public.<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n “Brighton are a well-run club. They got \u00a322m 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.”<\/p>\n JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football’s Facebook page<\/a><\/p>\n De Zerbi’s controversial approach didn’t stop when he left the Amex Stadium. At Marseille, he publicly questioned the club’s transfer strategy on multiple occasions and fell out with some players due to his tough methods<\/a>.<\/p>\n While his current availability might seem attractive, the chaotic undertones associated with him may not suit Tottenham’s present predicament. Spurs are languishing just five points above the drop zone and desperately need stability, with Lawrenson’s previous comments suggesting De Zerbi might not be the man to deliver it.<\/p>\n Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package<\/p>\n This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/a> \u00a349<\/p>\n \u00a335<\/p>\n Sky<\/p>\n![\"Tottenham](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/0_GettyImages-2260484005.jpg\")
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