De Zerbi's Future at Tottenham Depends on Board Relationship, Not Relegation

Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi has stated that his decision to stay with the club next season will be based on his relationship with the board, rather than the team's league position. Despite the team's struggles, with only six games left to play and sitting in the bottom three, De Zerbi emphasized that having a unified vision with the board is crucial for his continued tenure. In an interview, De Zerbi said, "The problem is not the league. The problem is to keep the relationship with the board and to have the same ideas in the project." He also stressed the importance of everyone being on the same page, saying, "Yes. Everyone on the same page." De Zerbi's comments come after his first game in charge, a 1-0 loss to Sunderland, which has left Spurs in a precarious position. However, he remains confident that the team can avoid relegation and even finish in the top six next season if they can stay up. De Zerbi's approach is centered around building a strong team dynamic and creating a positive atmosphere, which he believes is essential for success. With the summer transfer window approaching, De Zerbi will be looking to make key signings to strengthen the squad, regardless of whether they are playing in the Premier League or the Championship. The upcoming game against Brighton will be a crucial test for De Zerbi and his team, as a win could take them out of the relegation zone, at least temporarily. De Zerbi has also been working to get to know his players better, admitting that he needs to focus on building relationships with them rather than trying to understand the problems that have plagued the team this season. He said, "I have to get to know my players better and better every week. We have no time to lose. We have no time to understand the problems we have this season. We have to be focused just on the next game." De Zerbi also emphasized the importance of having players with personality and character, saying, "We need players with personality and character. Otherwise, they don't play with me." With captain Romero out for the season, De Zerbi is looking for other players to step up and take on leadership roles. He believes that several players in his squad have the potential to become leaders, including Micky van de Ven, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Palhinha. De Zerbi also wants to see Dominic Solanke become a stronger personality and character on the pitch, saying, "I would like to push with [Dominic] Solanke because he is one of the best strikers in the Premier League. I want him to become stronger as a personality and a character on the pitch."