Roberto De Zerbi says everyone at Tottenham must be on the same page if he is to stay next season — irrespective of relegation.
The Italian promised he would be “the coach of Tottenham next season no matter what” in his first club interview after signing a five-year contract, amid questions about his commitment if Spurs were relegated. After suffering defeat in his first game, a 1-0 loss at Sunderland, Spurs sit in the bottom three, two points from safety with six games to go, and are the only Premier League side yet to win in 2026.
De Zerbi reassured fans in an exclusive with Sky Sports that relegation would not be the deciding factor for him. “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 said. When pressed that being aligned with the board — and not the division Spurs play in — is crucial, he added: “Yes. Everyone on the same page.”
Analysis — Michael Bridge
Bridge says De Zerbi is clearly ambitious and convinced Spurs can be back among the Premier League’s top six next season if they avoid relegation, but with six games remaining that is a big “if.” For De Zerbi, alignment with the board and a shared project are essential — a principle he’s applied at Marseille and Brighton. He can only operate when giving 100% and expects the club to reciprocate.
The summer transfer window will be a key test of that relationship, with a significant rebuild likely needed whatever happens. De Zerbi will want to feel supported whether spending to win promotion or to push for European qualification. If Spurs stay up, he believes they can fight for a top-six spot; the immediate challenge is keeping them in the division.
“If you don’t have character, you won’t play”
De Zerbi’s first home game is against his former club Brighton. A win would temporarily lift Spurs out of the relegation zone. To build unity, he took the squad out for dinner and stressed he must get to know the players better. “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. Transfer confidence,” he said.
“I can bring my philosophy of football. But also working to create a good atmosphere, a good relationship with the players. In this moment of football, the qualities of the players are important. But the spirit, the relationship between the players is too. We have to feel everyone’s responsibility in this situation. And we can’t cry. We have to push to get out of this situation.
“We need players with personality and character. Otherwise they don’t play with me.”
De Zerbi looking for leaders
With captain Cristian Romero out for the season, De Zerbi has one less commanding presence. He believes several players can step up in different leadership roles: those who speak in the dressing room, lead with the ball, help teammates in tough moments. “There are a lot of different types of leader,” he said.
“I would like Micky van de Ven to reach this level. [Rodrigo] Bentancur is a leader. Palhinha is another. 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. Xavi Simons is very young, but is a leader on the ball because he has personality. He has the right character to receive the ball when the ball is hot. But we need characters and personalities.”
Analysis — Callum Bishop
Bishop notes Spurs’ squad is one of the youngest in the league, and when a team is full of young talent it needs experienced heads to navigate pressure. With Romero out and other senior figures unavailable or injured, Spurs lack those calming influences. Even including injured players, Spurs have the third-youngest squad this season.
Players who have not faced relegation battles are being asked to show leadership now. Solanke has prior experience, but De Zerbi’s remarks suggest he wants more personality from him. Mentioning Xavi Simons — technically gifted but still adapting to English football — highlights the challenge.
With six games left, someone must take the initiative and lead Spurs through the run-in, or the club will face a difficult end to the season.