Roberto De Zerbi said he is not a better coach than Thomas Frank or Igor Tudor but his “passion” can help restore Tottenham’s DNA as he looks to steer the club clear of relegation.
Frank departed after less than eight months in charge at Spurs, while Tudor left 44 days into his reign with the club in 17th, one point above the relegation zone.
De Zerbi, the third head coach to take charge of the team this season, now has seven games to guide Spurs clear of the bottom three, with his first game arriving away at Sunderland on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
Speaking ahead of that fixture, the former Brighton and Marseille head coach revealed his admiration for his predecessors before outlining that it is the passion and character he will bring to the role which could restore the DNA at the club and help them avoid the drop.
“I am not better than Thomas Frank or Igor Tudor, I consider them as very good coaches, but I try to bring my style, myself, my character, personality and passion to help the players show their quality,” he said in his first press conference as Spurs boss.
“And then to achieve our target. The most important part is the target [avoid relegation]. My style is one part. One part the style of play and the other part is about the character and personality.
“I don’t have time for principles or build-up, I want to give organisation with the ball and without the ball.
“What I want to do and what I want to achieve is the character. The right spirit, courage to play and attack. The DNA of this club and squad is to find the goal, to score.
“In this part, I can be able to transfer my principle.”
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De Zerbi well aware of time constraints
Referencing the short amount of time he has with the players to make changes was a common theme in De Zerbi’s first pre-match press conference in the Spurs hotseat.
Questions were posed regarding why he had only chosen to bring two former coaches, Marcattilio Marcattilii and Marcello Quinto, with him to the club, to which he replied: “It is totally different this situation because we have no time to work like in Brighton.
“I don’t want to put confusion in the players. They need a clear plan of the game with not too many instructions. They have to play with courage and personality; they have to fight. My demand is to show the right spirit.”
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De Zerbi spoke about his long-term commitment to the club and addressed criticism over comments on Mason Greenwood. YouTube Credit: @TottenhamHotspur
When asked about why he chose Spurs despite the situation they find themselves in, the same answer but with a positive spin followed – time.
“There were 12 days before the first game. For me, it was important to have more than one week. I thought it could be important to understand the problems.
“I don’t want to give too many instructions on the pitch if we are speaking about just football. But our organisation, with the ball and without the ball, I hope in 10 days to reach this target, for me.”
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A behind-the-scenes look at De Zerbi’s first training session in charge of Spurs as he begins shaping his new squad (footage courtesy of Tottenham Hotspur)
Message for the fans? The message is to the players
Tottenham fans will once again be asked to rally behind their team ahead of the first of seven crucial games to avoid relegation on Sunday.
The last outing against Nottingham Forest saw fans flood into the streets to welcome the player bus into the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – only for a 3-0 defeat to their fellow relegation rivals to follow.
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Spurs supporters packed the streets of North London in fine voice as the players arrived for their crucial game with Nottingham Forest
De Zerbi was asked if he had a message for the fanbase in preparation for his first game, which he turned down and instead directed at his players and staff, outlining they have to “deserve” the support with their performances on the pitch.
He continued: “I have no message because in the last game against Nottingham Forest, they were fantastic before the game. The message is for my staff and players.
“We have to deserve their support because the fans are suffering like us, like the players.
“For fans, there is just one team. The players can change [teams] but for fans it is unique; there is just one. We have to make the fans happy, playing well with the right spirit, attitude and behaviour on the pitch.
“Then it is easier to make points.”
