According to Italian newspaper Sky, Roberto De Zerbi has no plans to join Tottenham or any other club before the end of the season.
The 46-year-old does not want to return to football immediately after leaving Marseille last month and will wait to consider his options in the summer.
This is not thought to be a concrete refusal to join Tottenham, who are interested in the former Brighton manager among a number of potential candidates for their next permanent manager.
According to Italy’s Sky newspaper, regardless of the offers and clubs that contacted him after leaving Marseille, De Zerbi remains confident in his choice and is therefore not expected to return to the bench until next season.
With uncertainty surrounding interim head coach Igor Tudor’s position during the international break, it remains to be seen whether anything will prompt him to change his mind.
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Free to watch: Premier League home match highlights between Spurs and Nottingham Forest
Spurs are thought to be considering all options after another devastating home defeat to rivals Nottingham Forest left them one point above the relegation zone.
Postecoglou: It’s not fun to watch Spurs struggle – I’m still interested
Ange Postecoglou says Spurs’ loss to Nottingham Forest was an unpleasant game
Former Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou said it was tough to see his club struggling in the Premier League relegation battle.
It’s almost a year since he won the Europa League as head coach of Spurs, but Postecoglou said what’s happening now should be “beyond the realm of possibility”.
“I watched[Spurs’ loss to Nottingham Forest]and I’m still very invested in Spurs in particular, because of the players and the staff,” Postecoglou told Melbourne radio station SEN 1116.
“We spent two years together. We’ll always have that attachment. If you had told me last May that this would be the scenario of watching the two teams I’ve coached this calendar year, I would have said, ‘No, it’s beyond the realm of possibility.’
“I tuned in and watched it. It was an unpleasant game and I didn’t enjoy it, that’s for sure. It’s not great[to watch Spurs]. I still have a really strong attachment to the club.”
“It’s been two years and it hasn’t been an easy year by any means, but we invested a lot in them. In the penultimate game we won the European trophy, which is incredibly high.
“The connections there will last forever. It wasn’t easy to see them struggle and it wasn’t how I expected it to play out. They’re fighting like hell and relegation is a big thing for any club, but for Tottenham it’s a pretty big problem.”
“They have a fight left to play and they have the quality to get out. They definitely need a circuit breaker.”
Atleti unclear whether to fulfill long-standing interest in Romero
Atletico Madrid are not certain to pursue Cristian Romero again this summer, Sky Sports News understands.
SSN has previously reported interest from the Spanish club, who tried to sign him at the beginning of last summer without success.
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Diego Simeone praises Cristy Romero ahead of Tottenham’s Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid
Romero stayed and signed a new contract under new head coach Thomas Frank, but his future is once again in doubt as Spurs come to the end of one of their worst seasons on record.
Atletico manager Diego Simeone recently said he was a “huge fan” of Romero ahead of Atletico’s Champions League last-16 clash, where they eliminated Spurs.
However, sources in Spain have told Sky Sports News that not everyone involved in Atlético’s decision-making is in favor of the Argentina World Cup winner.
There are also several factors that will play a role in Atletico’s decision to make a move, including his price, Spurs’ standing in the Premier League and the player’s determination to join Spurs.
Spanish sources believe Atletico are reluctant to spend more than £26m (€30m) for the defender, despite his contract running until 2029.
Tottenham captain Romero recently said he was “focused” on keeping his team in the Premier League with seven games remaining.
“I have great respect and love for the club,” Romero said. “I want to finish the season in the best possible way.
“We’ll see (about my future) later, but the most important thing now is to get my energy back.”
If Atlético ultimately decide to look elsewhere for a new centre-back, Romero is almost certain to attract interest from other big clubs.
