Harry Redknapp exclusive: 'Roberto De Zerbi must rebuild Tottenham around this player' | OneFootball

Ahead of a huge summer rebuild, the former Spurs manager has some advice for the current boss

Harry Redknapp has told Roberto De Zerbi how to get Tottenham back on top again after a disaster season which saw Spurs avoid relegation on the final day.

A 1-0 win over Everton saw Spurs secured a 17th-place finish for the second season on the spin.

Spurs’ dismal league campaign the year prior was offset somewhat the historic Europa League triumph, but there was nowhere for the club to hide 12 months on.

Redknapp took over Spurs in 2008 with the club in the relegation zone - having picked up just two points from their opening eight games - and guided them to the League Cup final, and then into the Champions League during his four seasons in charge.

If I was there, I wouldn’t hesitate to make him captain, even though he’s only a young kid

Harry Redknapp on Archie Gray

The veteran manager did not come by any silverware during his in N17, but would he ever have let things get so bleak?

“I don’t know, hopefully not!” Redknapp told Standard Sport.

Asked to identify the cause of Spurs’ tailspin, he cited poor player recruitment and the managerial merry-go-round - but backed De Zerbi to restore the side to Europe.

Redknapp continued: “I think the new manager has sorted it out. I think Tottenham next year, for sure they’ll be a top-six team.

“De Zerbi, I like him. He did a great job at Brighton. All the people I talk to who have played for him like him and respect him. I think he’ll do well, I think next year they’ll be up there.”

Tottenham have moved quickly in the summer transfer market, picking up ex-Liverpool full-back Andy Robertson on a free transfer, and are said to be working on deals for centre-back pair Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke.

Archie Gray has been a rare positive for Spurs

PA

But as De Zerbi faces up to a thorough squad rebuild, Redknapp hopes Archie Gray will feature prominently in his plans.

The highly rated 20-year-old, signed from Leeds in 2024, was one of the club’s most consistent performers during a tumultuous campaign, and won all three of the club’s end-of-season, player of the year awards, which are voted on by fans.

And Redknapp tipped him for the captaincy should Cristian Romero depart this summer.

“I think Archie Gray would be one of the people that you look to build your team around,” he said.

“He looks a fantastic young pro, good player, and over the last two years, he’s probably been their best player, I think.

“He is, I assume, a captain of the club in the not-too-distant future. Even next year, if I was there, I wouldn’t hesitate to make him captain, even though he’s only a young kid.

“He could be like Ray Wilkins, who became captain of Chelsea when he was very young. He’s good enough to do that.”