Roberto De Zerbi has made it clear that his continued tenure at Tottenham Hotspur hinges on a unified vision with the club's hierarchy rather than the division in which the team ultimately competes. In his first formal interview after signing a five‑year deal, the Italian manager stressed that his commitment to the project is conditional on a harmonious relationship with the board and a shared understanding of the club’s long‑term objectives. The backdrop to De Zerbi's remarks is a difficult start to the season.
Tottenham opened the campaign with a 1‑0 defeat at Sunderland, leaving them languishing in the relegation zone with only six matches remaining and a two‑point gap from safety. The club is also the only Premier League side that has yet to register a win in the 2026 calendar year, intensifying the pressure on the manager and his young squad. During an exclusive conversation with Sky Sports, De Zerby dismissed the notion that dropping into the Championship would automatically trigger his exit. When asked whether he would remain at Tottenham regardless of the league outcome, he replied, "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 reiterated that alignment across the organisation is the decisive factor, not the tier in which the team plays. De Zerby’s philosophy mirrors the approach he employed at previous appointments, such as Marseille and Brighton, where he insisted on total commitment from the club in exchange for his full dedication. He explained that the upcoming summer transfer window will be a litmus test for that partnership.
Whether Spurs need to splurge on promotion‑ready talent or invest in players capable of securing a top‑six finish in the Premier League, De Zerby wants assurance that the board will back his recruitment strategy. Looking ahead, the manager is confident that if Tottenham manage to stay up, they can quickly re‑establish themselves among the league’s elite. He believes the squad possesses the underlying quality to compete for a European place, but he repeatedly returns to the pivotal "if" – the need to avoid relegation first.
The next fixture is a crucial home clash against Brighton, De Zerby’s former club. A win would lift Spurs out of the bottom three, at least temporarily, before they face West Ham and Crystal Palace in the following weeks. To foster unity, De Zerby took his players out for dinner, emphasizing that his priority is to get to know the squad on a deeper level rather than merely diagnosing the season’s shortcomings. "I have to get to know my players better and better every week," he told reporters.
"We have no time to lose. We must focus on the next game and trust in the process." He also highlighted the importance of character and leadership within the group. With captain Cristian Romero ruled out for the rest of the campaign, De Zerby acknowledged a vacuum in on‑field authority but expressed confidence that several members can step up. He identified multiple types of leaders – vocal figures in the dressing room, leaders who lead by example on the pitch, and those who rise in high‑pressure moments.
He singled out Micky van de Ven, Rodrigo Bentancur, and João Palhinha as potential pillars, while also urging Dominic Solanke to develop greater personality and resilience. Young talent Xavi Simons was praised for his composure with the ball, though De Zerby noted that the team still needs a broader array of strong characters. Analyst Callum Bishop observed that Tottenham’s squad is among the youngest in the league, making the search for experienced heads even more urgent. With Romero injured, James Maddison unavailable, and the return dates for Dejan Kulusevski and Ben Davies uncertain, the team lacks a clear, calming presence.
Bishop argued that the onus now falls on emerging leaders like Solanke to shoulder responsibility, while also cautioning that Simons’ adaptation to English football remains a work in progress. In the final six games, the margin for error is razor‑thin. De Zerby’s message to his players is unequivocal: embrace accountability, exhibit resilience, and seize the moment. The upcoming Brighton match will serve as an early barometer of whether the squad can translate his philosophy into results.
Beyond the immediate fixtures, De Zerby’s longer‑term plan involves rebuilding the roster to match his tactical ideals – a proactive, possession‑based style that requires technically adept, mentally robust players. He has already hinted at targeting both promotion‑ready talent and individuals capable of competing for European qualification, depending on the club’s league status. In summary, Roberto De Zerby’s future at Tottenham is not tied to the league they play in but to the cohesion between him, the board, and the broader club structure.
He demands a unified vision, supportive investment, and a collective commitment to his footballing philosophy. If those conditions are met, he believes Spurs can not only survive this season but also re‑emerge as a top‑six contender in the Premier League.
The next six matches will determine whether that ambition remains a realistic prospect or a distant aspiration.