Roberto De Zerbi is closing in on changing into the brand new Tottenham boss, however an incident from three years in the past when he was Brighton supervisor virtually scuppered his probabilities.
Again in April 2023 throughout a Premier League match on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium between Spurs and Brighton, De Zerbi was concerned in a livid touchline row with Cristian Stellini, the hosts’ interim head coach on the time.
Their authentic conflict got here pre-match earlier than a skirmish involving each benches early within the second half led to the 2 Italian coaches being handed crimson playing cards.
Every day Mail Sport understands that when Thomas Frank was sacked in February, there have been sources at Spurs making it clear they weren’t inquisitive about De Zerbi within the slightest, and for a number of causes.
Considered one of these was the very fact they have been postpone by his notoriety as an incendiary character as laid naked by that go to of his Brighton crew three years in the past.
On that event, De Zerbi’s finger jabbing and jibes sparked a row with Stellini as stress bubbled on the pre-match handshake after feedback within the build-up to the sport.
A conflict between Roberto De Zerbi and Cristian Stellini at Tottenham’s sport with Brighton in April 2023 virtually scuppered De Zerbi’s probabilities of changing into the brand new Spurs boss
De Zerbi clashed with Stellini (pictured) after he was offended by his pre-match feedback
De Zerbi is assumed to have taken offence to Stellini saying Brighton’s good type was a results of him merely carrying on the nice work of his predecessor Graham Potter.
Potter had left the membership the earlier September to hitch Chelsea.
‘They got here from [manager] with Graham Potter for a very long time,’ Stellini mentioned. ‘I believe Roberto De Zerbi has discovered answer to play with this fashion as a result of with Potter the gamers know themselves very nicely.
‘This can be a nice alternative as a result of when gamers play for a very long time with one another it’s simpler.’
De Zerbi later mentioned: ‘Sure (I felt disrespected). It is a private scenario. I informed him what was my opinion, my thought, not dangerous phrases, solely my opinion.
‘I am used to all the time respecting everybody inside and outdoors of the pitch. I do not prefer it when individuals do not respect me.
‘However there are regular conditions in soccer. It is private issues. I all the time respect everybody, particularly the coaches. I can reply for me, not for him.’
Following the melee within the second interval, each De Zerbi and Stellini have been then dismissed, though the Spurs boss was eager to minimize the carnage and conflict post-match.
There was additionally a melee between each benches within the second half which resulted in Stellini and De Zerbi receiving crimson playing cards
‘Typically after we communicate Italian individuals appear aggressive,’ he informed Sky Sports activities. ‘We weren’t aggressive. I do not wish to talk about different managers.
‘That is solely the second sport I am a head coach. I wish to respect each supervisor. What occurred on the pitch, stays on the pitch.’
On his sending off, he added: ‘I did not say something. I attempted to maintain calm. I’m the pinnacle coach and must respect the choice. Our crew used the scenario to create power, that is as a result of it helped us.’
Spurs gained the sport 2-1, however three years later De Zerbi is now set to be within the reverse dugout regardless of these preliminary considerations from the membership’s hierarchy.
