Roberto De Zerbi has issued Daniel Levy an answer over Tottenham head coach vacancy
After a chaotic Saturday afternoon at Tottenham Stadium, Roberto De Zerbi ensured that his name and Tottenham would continue to be in the news.
In the wake of Antonio Conte’s departure from Spurs last month, many Spurs fans were eager to see what the Italian’s entertaining Brighton & Hove Albion side would serve up in N17 if he were to be named the club’s next manager.
The Seagulls, who are making waves in the Premier League this season and are in with a chance of snatching a place in the Champions League, will undoubtedly feel that they should have returned to the south coast with three points after their impressive performance.
Even though Alexis Mac Allister and Kaoru Mitoma have been instrumental to their strong form this season, few would have predicted fireworks prior to the game.
Exactly this occurred as Cristian Stellini approached his counterpart De Zerbi mere seconds after emerging from the tunnel. As opposed to the usual friendly handshake, Stellini was met with a barrage of angry words as the 43-year-old puffed out his chest and pointed angrily in his direction during an explosive encounter.
De Zerbi and his coaching staff taunted the Spurs bench multiple times during the game, particularly after Lewis Dunk equalized the score shortly before halftime. When the Brighton staff continued to harass the Tottenham bench, Ryan Mason didn’t take it lying down and made his feelings known.
Things eventually came to a head just before the hour mark when both benches collided and a scuffle ensued as Tottenham attacked and attempted to create opportunities in the Brighton half. Stellini, who kept himself out of the melee and instead focused on the game, was sent off alongside De Zerbi after both teams’ benches engaged in a flurry of pushing and shoving.
On a day when De Zerbi would have preferred that Brighton’s football did all the talking, his altercation with Stellini ensured that the main focus was on what transpired off the field. De Zerbi is no stranger to the color red, as his dismissal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium marked his third since joining Brighton in mid-September.
On a day that many viewed as a possible audition for the Tottenham head coach vacancy, his antics on the sidelines likely did not sit well with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy. On the basis of Brighton’s performance on the field, it is easy to see why the former Sassuolo manager is so highly regarded in the game and has been mentioned as a potential Tottenham manager.
The Seagulls dominated possession at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with 550 passes compared to 296 for Tottenham and 17 shots on goal compared to nine for Tottenham. However, it is important to capitalize on opportunities when they present themselves, as Spurs did with two of their three shots on target.
Brighton will feel incredibly unlucky after Mitoma and Danny Welbeck’s goals were disallowed for handball by VAR. Mitoma’s goal was aesthetically pleasing, as Mac Allister spotted the Japanese player’s run and his teammate took the ball down before volleying it in with style.
The football displayed by Brighton was extremely impressive, and many Tottenham fans who watched will be hoping that their future head coach can get Harry Kane and the rest of the team to play in a similar fashion, especially after the defensive football they have been forced to endure this season. Levy faces a crucial decision as he tries to get Tottenham back on track, as a number of managers have been linked with the head coaching position. It is unclear who will be in charge next season.
As good as Brighton’s football was on Saturday afternoon, the Italian’s actions off the field may have provided Levy with an answer regarding De Zerbi.
Roberto De Zerbi has issued Daniel Levy an answer over Tottenham head coach vacancy
