Former Tottenham and Liverpool goalkeeper Brad Friedel believes Roberto De Zerbi was handed assurances over transfer spending before agreeing to take the Spurs job, and has backed the Italian to deliver a top-six finish in his first full season at the club.
De Zerbi inherited a Tottenham side that were on the brink of Premier League relegation last season, only for them to survive on the final day, with Palhinha’s goal in a 1-0 win over Everton keeping them up.
The club have spent a huge amount in the transfer window, with Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes among the headline arrivals in what represents a significant shift in financial approach from the club.
Friedel, a Premier League veteran and ex-Spurs stopper, speaking to 101GreatGoals via Tonybet, said he did not expect De Zerbi to take the job in such a difficult situation.
“I was really surprised that De Zerbi took the job at the time he did, because he is one of the better managers out there and he knows the Premier League really well,” Friedel said.
“What it is showing me is that he had assurances with the board that if he did take over, they would back him in the transfer window. That discussion obviously occurred.
“I feel a little bit sad for Daniel Levy in a sense, because the money was never Daniel’s, it was always the board’s, and he was always under restrictions of spend, even though they spent a lot during his tenure.
“He was always tasked with building a training ground and building a stadium at the same time as building squads, and I think a lot of people think it was Daniel that wasn’t spending the money. You can only spend what’s given to you by the people that have the money.”
Friedel was supportive of the business done so far, but did flag a slight concern over the extreme change of approach from his old club.
“I think most of their signings have been very good,” he said. “I worry a little bit that they are going from sort of no spend to crazy spend.
“If the numbers are right for Tonali, up to £100million and £270,000 a week, that is a big difference from the contractual stances that Tottenham have had in the past.
“Tonali is a good player, I am not saying he is not a good player, it is just a lot of money.
“However, I think Tottenham with De Zerbi and the signings they are making, they are putting themselves in a position to be a top-six finisher. To be honest.”
Friedel: Iraola ready for pressure of Liverpool
On Merseyside, another happy home for Friedel during his career, Andoni Iraola was confirmed as Liverpool’s new head coach, signing a two-year deal to succeed Arne Slot, who was sacked just a year after winning the Premier League title.
The Spaniard arrives from Bournemouth, where he led the club to a sixth-place finish and European football for the first time in their history.
Slot’s exit followed a turbulent campaign in which Liverpool finished sixth, explained by some due to the departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold, a chaotic summer dominated by the Alexander Isak transfer saga, and the devastating loss of Diogo Jota.
Friedel feels the nature of that season deserves more understanding than it received.
“I felt a little bit for Arne Slot last season, because if you take two clubs, Newcastle and Liverpool, their summers were so chaotic,” he said.
“The Isak transfer, the Salah stuff, Trent, it just never seemed like the season got going. So hopefully for Iraola this summer is a fresh start, there is no chaos, the players will all come back from the World Cup fit and they can get themselves rolling.”
Friedel had no doubts about Iraola’s credentials and ability to thrive in England’s top flight, but pointed out one test that he cannot prepare for with a tactics board.
“I have no doubt that Iraola is a top manager. I have no doubt that he knows what he is doing with tactics,” he added.
“The big thing for him is going to be how he deals with being at a bigger club with a lot more pressure.
“All signs suggest that he is going to do just fine with it and thrive in it, but that is the one thing – when you go from Bournemouth, with all due respect to Bournemouth, to Liverpool, you are on a larger platform to get larger praise, but also to get larger waves of negativity towards you.
“As long as he is prepared to deal with that, then I think Liverpool will have a very good manager on their hands.”
Brad Friedel was speaking in association with Tonybet. Tonybet’s World Cup Card Collection campaign can see Canadian customers win up to $150,000 CAD.
