De Zerbi's Future at Tottenham Hinges on Board Relationship, Not Relegation Battle
Roberto De Zerbi emphasizes that his future at Tottenham Hotspur depends on the relationship with the board rather than the team’s relegation status. After signing a five-year contract, De Zerbi reassured fans that he intends to remain the coach next season, regardless of whether Spurs drop to the Championship. In his first match in charge, Spurs faced a 1-0 defeat against Sunderland, leaving them in the bottom three, two points from safety. Despite this, De Zerbi remains optimistic, stating, "The problem is to keep the relationship with the board and to have the same ideas in the project." Key points from De Zerbi’s outlook: Alignment with Board: He insists that being on the same page with the board is crucial. Ambition for Next Season: De Zerbi believes Spurs can return to the Premier League's top six if they avoid relegation. Team Dynamics: He stresses the importance of player relationships and leadership, especially following the injury of captain Cristian Romero. De Zerbi is focused on fostering a strong team environment, stating, "We have to feel everyone's responsibility in this situation. We need players with personality and character." With the squad being one of the youngest in the league, De Zerbi is looking for leaders to emerge. He cited players like Micky van de Ven and Rodrigo Bentancur as potential leaders to help guide the team through the remaining six matches. As Spurs prepare for their upcoming match against Brighton, De Zerbi's challenge remains to motivate his squad and establish a winning mentality to escape the relegation zone.
Source: Sky Sports - 2026-04-17