Breaking: Højbjerg Says Tottenham have hired the ‘world’s best’ manager – even more brilliant than Guardiola and Mourinho.

Højbjerg Says  Tottenham have hired the ‘world’s best’ manager – even more brilliant than Guardiola and Mourinho.

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg once shared words about Roberto De Zerbi that now feel particularly meaningful for Spurs supporters, especially as the Italian coach continues to shape his reputation as one of the game’s most exciting tacticians.

Højbjerg previously worked closely under De Zerbi during the Italian’s spell in charge of Olympique de Marseille, where the Danish international became an important figure in midfield. Reflecting on that experience in an interview with Onze Mondial in November 2025, the Tottenham midfielder spoke in glowing terms about the manager’s influence, leadership style and the special bond he forms with his players. Those comments are now likely to generate even more enthusiasm among fans at Tottenham Hotspur.

The Denmark international explained that he has been fortunate enough to work with some of the most respected coaches in modern football. During his career, Højbjerg has been managed by elite figures such as Pep Guardiola, José Mourinho and Antonio Conte. However, he insisted that De Zerbi deserves to be mentioned in the very same breath as those legendary names.

According to Højbjerg, the Italian coach possesses a rare understanding of players and the emotional dynamics within a football dressing room. He praised De Zerbi not only for his tactical knowledge but also for the way he builds trust and connection with the squad.

The midfielder suggested that De Zerbi’s influence on football could be enormous in the years ahead. In his view, the coach has the potential to shape the tactical evolution of the sport for decades to come. Højbjerg described it as a privilege to play under such a manager, adding that the Italian has an exceptional ability to read situations inside the team environment.

He explained that De Zerbi can sense the mood of the dressing room, anticipate how players will react to different situations and understand the atmosphere within the squad almost instinctively. According to the Dane, this emotional intelligence is one of the qualities that separates the Italian from many other coaches.

Højbjerg even joked that he had to stop himself from continuing to praise the manager because he might end up saying “too many wonderful things.” Despite that playful remark, his admiration was clear, as he emphasised that working with a coach of De Zerbi’s calibre is a genuine honour for any professional footballer.

Importantly, Højbjerg is far from the only prominent figure in the game who holds De Zerbi in such high regard. One of football’s most successful managers, Pep Guardiola, has also spoken highly of the Italian in the past.

During De Zerbi’s time in the Premier League with Brighton & Hove Albion, Guardiola openly praised the tactical identity that the coach had created. Speaking in 2023, the Manchester City boss described De Zerbi as one of the most influential managerial minds in modern football.

Guardiola pointed out that De Zerbi’s teams play in a way that is instantly recognisable. Their approach is built around intelligent possession, quick positional rotations and an emphasis on building attacks patiently from the back. According to Guardiola, there are very few teams in world football that operate with such a distinctive and daring style.

He also admitted that although he expected De Zerbi to have a positive impact on the Premier League, he had not anticipated just how quickly the Italian would leave his mark on the competition.

Under De Zerbi’s guidance, his teams often dominate possession and create a remarkable number of scoring opportunities, sometimes producing between 20 and 25 chances in a single match. Guardiola also highlighted how every player on the pitch is involved in the build-up play, including the goalkeeper, who frequently operates almost like an additional midfielder during attacking phases.

With praise coming from both a respected player like Højbjerg and an elite manager like Guardiola, it is easy to understand why excitement continues to build around De Zerbi. For Tottenham supporters, such endorsements only strengthen the belief that the club could be entering an exciting new tactical era under the Italian’s leadership.