Roberto De Zerbi is looking forward to facing fellow Italian Enzo Maresca when Tottenham take on Manchester City, noting they made friends in the Milan youth academy, so both got to know Franco Baresi.
The coach is starting his first full season at Spurs, having taken over during dire circumstances in March and just about steering them out of the relegation zone.
There is a very Italian feel to the Premier League this term, as not only is De Zerbi at Tottenham, but Maresca replaces Pep Guardiola at Manchester City too.
HONG KONG, CHINA – AUGUST 1: Head coach Enzo Maresca of Manchester City (R) and Team head coach Cristian Chivu (L) talk after the Manchester City v Inter Milan – Pre-Season Friendly at Kai Tak Stadium on August 1, 2026 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
"We had already met as opponents when he was on Guardiola's staff, but never I think as head coaches," confessed De Zerbi to Sky Sport Italia.
#manchester #italian
The coach is starting his first full season at Spurs, having taken over during dire circumstances in March and just about steering them out of the relegation zone.
There is a very Italian feel to the Premier League this term, as not only is De Zerbi at Tottenham, but Maresca replaces Pep Guardiola at Manchester City too.
HONG KONG, CHINA – AUGUST 1: Head coach Enzo Maresca of Manchester City (R) and Team head coach Cristian Chivu (L) talk after the Manchester City v Inter Milan – Pre-Season Friendly at Kai Tak Stadium on August 1, 2026 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
"We had already met as opponents when he was on Guardiola's staff, but never I think as head coaches," confessed De Zerbi to Sky Sport Italia.
#manchester #italian
8 days ago
