Roberto De Zerbi is open to the Tottenham Hotspur managerial role if the club retains its Premier League place next season, according to The Telegraph.
Spurs are locked in a tense battle to avoid relegation following their damaging home defeat to Nottingham Forest.
That defeat leaves Tottenham hanging just above the relegation zone with a handful of games to go.
However, planning has continued behind the scenes regardless of the uncertainty.
They have already held talks with De Zerbi, who has been without a club since leaving Marseille by mutual consent in February.
Spurs interim boss Igor Tudor is not expected to be considered for the permanent role, regardless of how the season concludes.
The Croatian has won only one of his seven games in charge of Tottenham, losing five of them (D1).
Sunday’s defeat has further overshadowed his position, although the club has rallied around him following his father’s death.
As it stands, De Zerbi and Mauricio Pochettino are the leading contenders.
Tottenham are prioritising a manager with experience in European competition and the demands of elite-level coaching, even with no continental football on the horizon next season.
De Zerbi’s credentials remain impressive despite his recent departure from Marseille.
The Italian tactician guided the French side to a second-place Ligue 1 finish last term.
He also earned widespread acclaim for his progressive, attacking style during his time at Brighton & Hove Albion.
There is also wider interest in De Zerbi across the Premier League, with potential vacancies at Manchester United and Liverpool later this summer.
Tottenham’s hopes of landing one of Europe’s most sought-after coaches hinge on preserving their place in the top flight.
Elsewhere, Tottenham are advancing in talks to hire Sebastian Kehl as sporting director following his departure from Borussia Dortmund.
