Tottenham take One risky step to avoid humiliating drop from the premier league

Tottenham take One risky step to avoid humiliating drop from the premier league

On the pitch, the arrival of Roberto De Zerbi would, at least in theory, provide the kind of football that many supporters of Tottenham Hotspur have long craved. The Italian coach is widely admired for his bold, possession-heavy philosophy, which prioritises intelligent build-up play, brave passing through the press, and a commitment to attacking football. Even Pep Guardiola has publicly praised De Zerbi’s tactical approach, a significant endorsement considering Guardiola’s status as one of the most respected managers in the modern game. In fact, among the currently available coaches in world football, De Zerbi is often viewed as one of the most gifted tacticians on the market.

However, admiration for his style does not automatically guarantee success at Spurs. The biggest concern surrounding his potential appointment is whether he can successfully implement his complex tactical ideas in a very limited timeframe, particularly with a squad that appears to be severely lacking in confidence. Tottenham’s players are currently struggling for form and belief, and introducing a demanding new tactical system in the middle of a difficult season could prove extremely challenging.

There is some precedent that suggests adapting to De Zerbi’s methods can take time. When he arrived at Olympique de Marseille, he enjoyed a promising start, but that success came after a full pre-season in which he was able to properly prepare his players for his demanding approach. Without that luxury of time, things have not always gone smoothly in the past.

Back in 2016, when De Zerbi took charge of Palermo mid-season, the results were disastrous. He managed just one win in 13 matches and was dismissed after less than three months in charge. A similar pattern emerged the following season when he took over at Benevento. In the 2017–18 campaign, De Zerbi failed to win any of his first nine matches, and Benevento ultimately suffered relegation from Serie A.

Even at Brighton & Hove Albion, where De Zerbi later earned widespread praise, the beginning was far from perfect. The Italian endured a five-match winless streak when he first arrived, illustrating again how difficult it can be for players to quickly adjust to his intricate tactical demands.

One of the defining characteristics of De Zerbi’s style is how heavily he relies on his defenders and goalkeeper during the build-up phase. His teams intentionally invite pressure from opponents, encouraging them to press high before playing their way out from the back with precise passing and composure. This approach can be extremely effective when executed correctly, but it also carries considerable risk. At Tottenham, where the atmosphere inside the stadium can quickly turn tense when mistakes occur, asking defenders to repeatedly play risky passes under pressure may be even more difficult to execute.

Former Brighton captain Lewis Dunk once described just how confusing the early days under De Zerbi were for the squad. Speaking in a 2023 interview, Dunk admitted the transition period was chaotic. He recalled that the first few weeks were extremely difficult as players struggled to understand what the new manager wanted from them. According to Dunk, De Zerbi’s arrival created something of a tactical whirlwind, with training sessions packed full of new instructions, movements, and positional changes that initially left the players bewildered. Over time, however, Brighton adapted and eventually flourished under his guidance.

One advantage De Zerbi would have now, compared to earlier stages of his career, is that his command of English has improved significantly. Communication was previously considered one of the barriers that slowed the early implementation of his ideas, but that issue has largely been resolved.

Yet challenges for De Zerbi would not only exist on the pitch. Off the field, he may also face resistance from certain sections of the Tottenham fanbase. Several supporters’ groups have already expressed concerns about the possibility of him becoming Spurs manager, primarily due to his past comments regarding Mason Greenwood.

De Zerbi signed Greenwood for Marseille in 2024, two years after the player had been charged with attempted rape and assault. Although the case was later dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service, De Zerbi’s public defence of the player sparked criticism. The Italian described Greenwood as a “good guy” and suggested the forward had already paid a “heavy price” for the controversy surrounding him.

Those remarks did not sit well with some Tottenham supporters. The fan group Women of the Lane publicly stated that the comments raised serious concerns about De Zerbi’s judgement. In their view, appointing him would not be a decision that reflects the values the club should uphold.

For years, Tottenham have been searching for a manager capable of uniting the club and restoring a sense of shared direction among players, supporters, and executives. Many fans felt that former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino would have been the perfect figure to bring that unity when he became available last summer. In contrast, De Zerbi’s potential arrival appears far more divisive.

Ultimately, appointing the Italian would represent a major gamble both on and off the pitch. Tottenham’s current situation is already precarious, and any managerial decision at this stage carries a degree of risk. However, bringing in a coach with such a complex philosophy and controversial baggage means the stakes would be even higher.

If Spurs choose to take that risk, they will be hoping it proves to be a gamble worth making. In their current predicament, they simply cannot afford for it to fail.