Supporters' Trust criticises De Zerbi over Greenwood remarks

Tottenham’s newly appointed head coach, Roberto De Zerbi, has come under fire from the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust for comments he made while managing Marseille in support of Mason Greenwood. De Zerbi joined Spurs on a five-year contract, but the Trust said his past remarks "raise serious and far-reaching concerns" and warned the club it had been informed of the "strength of feeling" among supporters.

The Trust acknowledged the club’s immediate priority is avoiding relegation — Spurs sit one point above the drop zone with seven games remaining — but warned the appointment risks dividing the fanbase at a critical moment. It described De Zerbi’s previous remarks about Greenwood as "unnecessary, ill-judged and deeply offensive to a significant number of supporters" and said unchecked statements of that type will create a split when unity is most needed.

Last November, while in charge at Marseille, De Zerbi called Greenwood a "good guy" who had paid a "heavy price" and said he knew a different side of the player to the one portrayed in media coverage. Greenwood moved from Manchester United to Marseille in 2024 after criminal charges against him — including attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm — were discontinued. The Crown Prosecution Service said the charges were dropped because of "a combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light," leaving "no realistic prospect of conviction."

Sky Sports News reports the Spurs board considered the sensitivity of De Zerbi’s association with Greenwood during the recruitment process. The new head coach is expected to address the issue publicly; Sky’s chief correspondent Kaveh Solhekol said the board are aware of the strength of feeling, have spoken to De Zerbi privately, and that the matter will be dealt with at his first press conference.

The Trust argued the appointment could undermine the club’s "All Together, Always" message and said it was concerning the club had placed supporters in this position when the team needs backing. It urged Spurs to consider a short-term managerial solution through the end of the season, accusing the board of risking erosion of confidence in the club’s integrity and ethical standards and criticising longer-term strategic failings that limited options.

Calling for transparency, accountability and a renewed commitment to Tottenham’s core principles, the Trust said those steps are necessary to begin restoring many fans’ faith in the club.