Roberto De Zerbi
Roberto De Zerbi, the newly appointed head coach of Tottenham Hotspur, has expressed his ambition to restore the attacking flair reminiscent of Ange Postecoglou’s first season. De Zerbi, who recently left Marseille, has taken over at a challenging time with Spurs sitting in 18th place in the Premier League. With seven games remaining, the Italian coach is focused on steering the club away from relegation and eventually aiming for the top of the league.
Roberto De Zerbi said: “In my plan for sure there is the idea to stay for a long time, to try to put Tottenham, I’m not speaking about the titles because it’s not the right moment now, but to put Tottenham to stay in the first position in the Premier League because there are all parts to reach that level.”
Roberto De Zerbi added: “No, you can find the right answer in my history, because I left a lot of money in my life, and the money never changed my focus on my work. For me, it’s not a problem, this situation for Tottenham. You have to have a longer vision. The focus is on this season, these seven games, to keep in the Premier League and then we will see.”
De Zerbi’s appointment marks Tottenham’s fourth managerial change in nine months, following the sacking of Ange Postecoglou despite his success in ending the club’s trophy drought with a Europa League victory. De Zerbi is determined to bring back the attacking style that characterized Postecoglou’s tenure, emphasizing possession and quality play.
Roberto De Zerbi said: “I want to keep the ball. I want to see again the Tottenham I watched with Postecoglou because in my second season in Brighton, there was Postecoglou here with a lot of these players and it was one of the best teams in terms of quality of play. With Pedro Porro, Udogie, Van de Ven, with Romero and I would like to see it again.”
De Zerbi has been actively engaging with the players, focusing on the mental aspect of the game, which he considers crucial for success. He has held numerous individual meetings to instill confidence and belief in the squad. Despite the challenging circumstances, De Zerbi remains optimistic about the team’s potential.
Roberto De Zerbi stated: “The most important part in football is the mental part. You are used to speaking too much about the style of play, the tactical disposition, blah, blah, blah. But in the end, the mental part is crucial in every work, especially in football, especially in this moment in Tottenham.”
As De Zerbi prepares for his debut against Sunderland, he faces the challenge of managing without goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, who is recovering from hernia surgery. Antonin Kinsky is set to step in, with De Zerbi expressing confidence in the young Czech stopper’s abilities.
Roberto De Zerbi said: “I didn’t speak yet with him because I think he doesn’t need to speak too much. I have confidence. He has to be strong, but he is strong enough to show what he can do. Not more, not less. I think his qualities are enough to play at Tottenham. The other players believe in him. He has to stay calm and confident.”
Despite facing criticism from supporter groups over past comments, De Zerbi remains focused on the task at hand, emphasizing his commitment to non-violence and respect. His primary goal is to stabilize Tottenham’s league position and gradually build towards long-term success.
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