Spurs are “absolutely” in talks to appoint the manager of their London rivals on a permanent deal

Tottenham Hotspur were quick to appoint Roberto De Zerbi following the departure of Igor Tudor, but the Italian is not the only manager they are after.

De Zerbi will visit Sunderland in his first game as Spurs manager

De Zerbi has just seven games to save Tottenham’s season, with his side sitting close to the Premier League’s relegation zone, but there are question marks over whether he is the right man for the job.

Neal Maupay, who played under the 46-year-old at Brighton, was full of praise for his former manager, but suggested Spurs’ players may not be able to adapt to his style of play from the start.

Maupay says: “The only thing for me – there are 7 or 8 games and what he wants to do takes time, you know, for the players to get used to it. So that would be interesting I think. But if they can stay, for me it’s a good signing for Tottenham.”

De Zerbi will take charge for the first time against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light next weekend, with tough games ahead, with the Lilywhites still needing to travel to Villa Park and Stamford Bridge.

It remains to be seen whether the former Brighton manager is the right man for the job, and it has now been revealed that Spurs were not the only ones being considered, with ENIC looking for a Premier League manager before acquiring De Zerbi.

Tottenham have held talks to appoint Fulham manager Marco Silva

Speaking on YouTube, Alasdair Gold shared what he knows about Tottenham’s search for a new manager, saying: “Spurs explored the possibility of getting another manager hired from their club on a permanent deal, and that was Marco Silva.

“So they were looking at other skills you know, and bearing in mind, I think there’s a way to look at that, why would you try to get Marco Silva out of a permanent deal? I think it was all because of the consultants at the time. I don’t think it ever came to a club-to-club thing, and I think Fulham clearly wouldn’t say no at that time and because I think they want Marco to try again.”

The Portuguese manager was perhaps a stronger choice, having done an impressive job at Craven Cottage, leading Fulham into the Premier League and cementing them in the top flight.

However, De Zerbi has all the credentials, having received the highest praise from Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, and Spurs desperately need the former Marseille boss to make an immediate impact.