Roberto De Zerbi aims to revive the distinctive “Ange-ball” style as he seeks to avert Tottenham’s first relegation in nearly half a century. With only seven matches remaining, he is determined to instill his intricate football philosophy into the team while emulating the dynamic approach of former manager Ange Postecoglou, who secured Tottenham’s first trophy in 17 years but was dismissed after a disappointing 17th place finish in the Premier League last season.
“I want to maintain possession,” De Zerbi remarked. “I want to witness the Tottenham I admired under Postecoglou. During my second year at Brighton, Postecoglou was here with many of these players, and they formed one of the most entertaining teams in terms of quality.” He expressed eagerness to work with players like Pedro Porro, Destiny Udogie, Micky van de Ven, and Cristian Romero to recreate that successful style.
Upon his arrival at Brighton, where he built a reputation for crafting sophisticated and attacking football, defender Lewis Dunk described the initial training sessions as “baffling.” Now, with less than two weeks to implement his strategies, De Zerbi has opted for a straightforward approach. He has conducted numerous individual meetings with players and has held training sessions to gauge their understanding, with the first test set to take place against Sunderland on Sunday.
“I have no time to contemplate anything beyond football,” De Zerbi stated. “My focus is on meeting the players, organizing, and determining the best methods to communicate my ideas—two or three key concepts, not an overwhelming number—that I want to see in action this Sunday.”
De Zerbi has faced criticism for his relatively brief tenures in previous roles, having spent under two years at both Brighton and Marseille, with his longest stint lasting three years at Sassuolo. He mentioned that he departed from Marseille due to “a differing perspective on football.” Similarly, when he left Brighton, it was attributed to a lack of alignment in vision.
Despite his past, he emphasizes his commitment to Tottenham for the long haul, having signed a contract through 2031, which lacks a release clause in the event of relegation. He is confident in his ability to elevate the club’s status.
“My intention certainly includes a long-term stay, aiming to position Tottenham—though I’m not discussing titles at this moment—to consistently rank among the top in the Premier League, as all elements are in place to achieve that level,” he explained.
Tottenham has struggled recently, losing seven of their last nine matches, yet De Zerbi finds hope in their performances, particularly in a recent 1-1 draw against Liverpool and a 3-2 Champions League victory over Atlético Madrid. “We need to demonstrate this level for 90 minutes and believe in ourselves,” he stated. “The mental aspect is crucial in football, often overshadowed by discussions of style and tactics. At this point in Tottenham’s situation, the mental component is especially vital.”
During his initial media interaction since facing backlash over his appointment, De Zerbi addressed the controversy that arose prior to his hiring. Several fan groups, including Proud Lilywhites and Women of the Lane, voiced their opposition to his appointment due to his previous remarks regarding Mason Greenwood.
Greenwood faced charges in 2022 for attempted rape, controlling and coercive behavior, and assault, but the Crown Prosecution Service dropped the case in February 2023 after key witnesses withdrew and new evidence emerged. Greenwood has denied all allegations.
In his previous role at Marseille, De Zerbi referred to Greenwood as “a good lad” who had “paid a heavy price” for the incident. “I was not surprised by the backlash,” he reflected. “I felt saddened and regretful that it occurred, as I do not wish to offend anyone. I want to reiterate my stance: I have always opposed any form of violence, particularly against women, as well as sexist jokes and behaviors.”
When asked if he hopes fans will accept his apology, he responded affirmatively. “Yes, because I won’t revisit this topic. I addressed it in my first interview and again today; it wouldn’t be appropriate to delve back into it,” he concluded.
