Spurs ‘to push’ for Roberto De Zerbi before Sunderland trip | OneFootball

Spurs hope to appoint former Brighton and Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi before their visit to Sunderland on 12 April, after Igor Tudor’s six-week interim spell without a win ended on Sunday. They sit one point above the relegation zone.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, De Zerbi is now open to considering a long-term offer from Spurs, with a five-year deal proposed and the next few hours potentially decisive.

He is understood to be their primary choice, though the picture is complicated by his earlier preference to take the job before the end of the campaign. Spurs are pushing to bring him in immediately, while assistant Bruno Saltor oversees training with many players away. They want a new head coach in place when the squad returns later this week to prepare for Sunderland.

Sean Dyche has been touted as an alternative if De Zerbi declines. On Sunday Tudor left by mutual agreement, with staff Tomislav Rogic and Riccardo Ragnacci also departing. Thanks were offered for their efforts, Tudor’s recent bereavement was acknowledged, and an update on a new head coach was promised in due course.

Injuries have hurt their form, and there is hope of returns after the break. Guglielmo Vicario is due to undergo hernia surgery during this pause, and if he cannot face Sunderland then Antonín Kinský would step in. Mathys Tel is a minor doubt after a knock at Nottingham Forest.

Mohammed Kudus and Rodrigo Bentancur are closing in on full training after thigh injuries, though starts are unclear. James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski could feature before the season ends but are unlikely for Sunderland, Ben Davies might return, Wilson Odobert is out and Yves Bissouma is a doubt.

Source: Sunderland Echo