Tottenham on the Brink of Change: Arne Slot, 'Similar to Guardiola', Emerges as De Zerbi Replacement Option
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- Tottenham Hotspur belum meraih kemenangan di Premier League musim ini dan tersingkir dari Carabao Cup, meningkatkan tekanan pada Roberto De Zerbi.
- Arne Slot, yang pernah hampir menangani Spurs pada 2023, dianggap sebagai kandidat kuat karena gaya bermainnya disebut mirip Pep Guardiola dan rekam jejak gelarnya lebih menjanjikan.
- Jika Spurs memutuskan pergantian, Slot yang kini menganggur setelah meninggalkan Liverpool bisa menjadi opsi, tetapi keputusan manajemen akan menentukan arah klub.
Pressure on Roberto De Zerbi is mounting after Tottenham Hotspur recorded their worst start in several seasons. Without a win in the Premier League and already eliminated from the Carabao Cup, the Italian coach's position has become the main focus in North London.
De Zerbi, who arrived at the start of last season with a promise of full freedom in managing the team, did manage to save Spurs from the threat of relegation. However, backing of more than £350 million in last summer's transfer window created high expectations that have yet to be met. By the fifth matchweek, the first league goal only came in the 86th minute, signaling serious problems in attack.
De Zerbi's track record at previous clubs also leaves questions. At Brighton & Hove Albion, he took the team into Europe in 2022/23, but his relationship with owner Tony Bloom deteriorated over differences in transfer policy. His spell at Marseille also ended with the termination of his contract in February 2026 after poor results and off-field issues. Consistency in player selection has been the main criticism, with 49 different players used in 69 matches in France, and 35 players in 14 games with Spurs.
The Tottenham management has a precedent for making swift changes. In November 2021, Nuno Espirito Santo was sacked just months after being appointed. If a similar scenario repeats, Arne Slot emerges as the leading candidate. The Dutch coach held talks with Spurs in 2023, but the deal fell through and the club turned to Ange Postecoglou.
Slot left Liverpool after finishing fifth last season, but his achievements are still regarded as impressive. He successfully filled the void left by Jurgen Klopp and immediately won the league title at the first attempt. His ultra-attacking style and obsession with detail make him seen as the right choice for a club that wants to play dominantly.
"He is very similar to Pep Guardiola, his ideas are very similar, he is a huge fan of Pep and plays the same way. He is very attacking, almost like a maniac. Not on the touchline, but it is remarkable to see how he turned an ordinary team into an extraordinary attacking machine," said Marcel van der Kraan.
The trophy comparison between Slot and De Zerbi is stark. Slot has won titles in England and the Netherlands, and led Feyenoord to the 2022 Conference League final. De Zerbi has collected only one 'major' trophy, the Ukrainian Super Cup with Shakhtar Donetsk. For Tottenham, Slot offers a combination of title-winning experience and a proven playing philosophy.
Indonesian context: For football fans in Indonesia, the dynamics of the Tottenham coaching seat are always interesting to follow, especially because Spurs have a large supporter base in the country. The management's decision will affect the competition in the Premier League, which is a favorite spectacle. If Slot comes in, his attacking football style could be an attraction in itself, similar to the appeal Klopp once had at Liverpool. This could also affect the market value of players linked with Spurs in fantasy football or sports betting.
Looking ahead, will Tottenham stick with De Zerbi or switch to Slot? This decision will not only determine the direction of this season, but also the club's long-term project. With Slot still unemployed and having come close to joining before, the opportunity is wide open if the management loses patience.
