Roberto De Zerbi, the newly appointed manager of Tottenham Hotspur, delivered an impassioned message to his squad and supporters as the club continues its battle to stay in the Premier League. In a candid interview with Sky Sports News, he rejected the fatalistic narrative that the team had already sealed its fate and insisted that the phrase "we're not relegated yet" should become a rallying cry rather than a lament. De Zerbi stressed that the club must drown out the chorus of negativity that has begun to echo around White Hart Lane and focus instead on the work that lies ahead. The Spurs side celebrated a hard‑won 1‑0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend, finally securing their first league win of the 2026 season.
Despite the triumph, they remain two points adrift of safety and face a daunting schedule that includes a trip to Aston Villa on Sunday. The upcoming match is critical; a win would keep Tottenham within touching distance of West Ham United, who themselves are fighting for survival and are set to play a challenging game at Brentford on Saturday. If Villa emerge victorious, Spurs could find themselves five points behind the Hammers, a gap that would make the climb even steeper.
When asked by Sky Sports' Michael Bridge whether he was aware of the pessimistic commentary surrounding his club, De Zerbi replied that he had indeed seen the headlines but dismissed them as "not a polemic." He recounted hearing pundits claim that staying up was "impossible" and that the team was already "relegated." He countered, "Not yet," and urged everyone close to the club to abandon the defeatist mindset. "We have to die on the pitch," he said, using the dramatic metaphor to illustrate the level of commitment required.
"To die on the pitch we have to lose the game first, but before we lose we must play, we must fight, and we must give everything we have." De Zerbi highlighted the reality of Tottenham's injury list, noting that the loss of Xavi Simons and Dominic Solanke has weakened the squad considerably. Simons, in particular, had been one of the team's most creative outlets in the last two fixtures and his absence is felt keenly.
Yet the manager refused to let these setbacks become excuses. He pointed out that the medical department, the pitch conditions, and even the training facilities have all been unfairly blamed by critics. "These are all negative things and they're rubbish," he said.
"I want to keep my focus on our own quality and the talent we have at our disposal." When discussing the upcoming clash at Villa Park, De Zerbi expressed respect for Unai Emery, the Villa manager, acknowledging that his side is currently one of the strongest in the league. However, he was quick to stress that a Spurs victory would not be a miracle but a product of belief and execution. "Maybe we lose, but we have the quality to win this game and it is not a miracle," he affirmed. The manager also outlined the depth of his squad, reminding skeptics that even with Simons and Solanke sidelined, Tottenham possess capable alternatives.
He listed players such as Randal Kolo Muani, Mathys Tel, Richarlison, Pedro Porro, Destiny Udogie, Micky van de Ven, Rodrigo Bentancur, João Palhinha and Conor Gallagher, describing them as "different in characteristics but very good players." He argued that the collective strength of these individuals should be enough to compete against any opponent, provided the team maintains a positive mindset. De Zerbi's interview also touched on the broader psychological battle. He identified the "voice inside" that whispers doubts—talk of bad luck, endless injuries, and inadequate facilities—as the most significant obstacle. "The most important challenge now is to silence that voice inside of us, inside the players, the staff, and the fans," he said.
By confronting these internal doubts, he believes Tottenham can restore confidence and improve performance. The conversation shifted to the media narrative, with Bridge recounting his own attempt to question De Zerbi about the impact of the injuries sustained in the Wolves win.
De Zerbi responded that he had indeed watched Bridge's segment, acknowledging the severity of the injury list, which now includes long‑term absences such as Wilson Odobert, Dejan Kulusevski, Mohammed Kudus, Cristian Romero and, of course, Simons. Bridge argued that the string of misfortunes could derail Tottenham's survival hopes, but De Zerbi remained resolute, stating that negativity would not be tolerated and that the team would press on regardless of the challenges.
Commentary from Sky Sports' tipster Lewis Jones painted a bleak picture, suggesting that the season already feels like a relegation campaign. He noted that despite the Wolves win, Spurs' performance was far from convincing and that the recent injury‑time winner for West Ham added further heartbreak.
Jones also highlighted the betting market's confidence in Aston Villa, offering odds of 21/20 for a Villa victory, and warned that Spurs are an inferior side in many departments. Nevertheless, De Zerbi's message cuts through this gloom: he wants his players and supporters to focus on the present task, to stay positive, and to treat every match as an opportunity to prove their worth.
In summary, Roberto De Zerbi has drawn a clear line between constructive determination and destructive pessimism. He acknowledges the reality of injuries and a tough schedule but refuses to let those factors define Tottenham's destiny.
By urging everyone associated with the club to reject the "we're relegated" mantra and instead adopt a mindset of resilience, he hopes to galvanise his squad for the crucial fixtures ahead, starting with the showdown at Villa Park. The manager's call for positivity, belief in the depth of his roster, and insistence on silencing internal doubts form the cornerstone of his strategy to steer Spurs away from the relegation zone and back toward safety.