Former Tottenham and Liverpool goalkeeper Brad Friedel believes Roberto De Zerbe was given assurances on transfer spending before agreeing to take the Tottenham job, backing the Italian to a sixth-placed finish in his first full season at the club.
De Zerbe inherited a Tottenham side that was on the brink of relegation in the Premier League last season, but survived on final day, as Pallina’s goal in a 1-0 win over Everton kept them ahead.
The club spent heavily in the transfer window, with Sandro Tonali and Matheus Fernandes among the key arrivals in what represents a major shift in the club’s financial approach.
Speaking to 101GreatGoals via Tonybet, Friedel, a veteran Premier League player and former Tottenham goalkeeper, said he did not expect De Zerbe to take over in such a difficult situation.
“I was really surprised that De Zerbe took the job at the time he did, because he is one of the best coaches there and knows the Premier League very well,” Friedel said.
“What it shows me is that he had assurances from the board that if he took the job, they would support him in the transfer window. Obviously that discussion took place.”
“I feel a little sad for Daniel Levy to some extent, because the money was never Daniel’s, it was always the board’s, and he was always subject to spending restrictions, 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 the team, and I think a lot of people thought Daniel wasn’t spending money. You can only spend what people who have money give you.”
Friedel has been supportive of the work done so far, but expressed slight concern about the drastic change in approach from his old club.
“I think most of their signings have been very good,” he said. “I’m a little concerned that they’re going from kind of not spending to spending like crazy.
“If the numbers are right for Tonali, up to £100m and £270,000 a week, that is a big difference to the contractual positions Tottenham have had in the past.
“Tonali is a good player, I’m not saying he’s not a good player, it’s just a lot of money.
“However, I think Tottenham with De Zerbe and the signings they make, are putting themselves in a position to be in the top six. To be honest.”
Friedel: Iraola is ready for Liverpool’s pressure
On Merseyside, another happy home for Friedel during his career, Andoni Iraola has been confirmed as Liverpool’s new manager, signing a two-year contract to succeed Arne Slott, who was sacked just a year after winning the Premier League title.
The Spaniard arrives from Bournemouth, where he led the club to sixth place and European football for the first time in its history.
Slott’s exit came after a turbulent season in which Liverpool finished sixth, which some explain 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 Slott last season, because if you look at two teams, Newcastle and Liverpool, their summer was very chaotic,” he said.
“Isaac, Salah, Trent transfers, the season didn’t seem to start at all. So hopefully it will be a fresh start for Iraola this summer, there won’t be chaos, and the players will all come back from World Cup preparation and can start working.”
Friedel had no doubts about Iraola’s qualifications and ability to shine in the English Premier League, but he pointed to one test that he could not prepare for from the tactics board.
“I have no doubt that Iraola is a great coach. I have no doubt that he knows what he is doing with tactics,” he added.
“The important thing for him is how he deals with being at a bigger club that is under a lot more pressure.
“All the signs are that he will do well and thrive, but that’s the one thing – when you go from Bournemouth, with all due respect to Bournemouth, to Liverpool, you’re on a bigger platform to get bigger plaudits, but also to get bigger waves of negativity towards you.
He added: “As long as he is prepared to deal with that, I think Liverpool will have a very good coach on their hands.”
Brad Friedel was speaking in association with Tonybit. Tonybit World Cup card set The campaign could see Canadian customers win up to $150,000 CAD.
