Tottenham lost 1-0 away to Sunderland, losing his first game as manager Roberto De Zerbi, leaving them with a two-point difference with six games remaining.
Roberto De Zerbi could not hide his emotions (Image: Sky Sports)
A disappointed Roberto de Zerbi admitted that he did not have the “confidence that Tottenham’s players would play great football” and admitted he “feels sorry for the players”. Spurs lost 1-0 away to Sunderland in De Zerbi’s first game as manager.
The Italian was appointed to replace Igor Tudor, who parted ways with Tottenham last month after just seven games. Spurs’ troubles have left them in 18th place, just two points away, and they are facing relegation for the first time since 1977.
De Zerbi admitted in his first press conference that he intends to put his philosophy aside until the end of the season in favor of results. This approach didn’t work for Sunderland, with Tottenham failing to capitalize on 48 per cent of their possession.
“We played a good game, maybe not enough to win, but we were unlucky in some situations in the first half,” De Zerbi said on Match of the Day after the game. “I can’t say anything about the players because they did their best mentally and mentally.
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“We can definitely play better and you guys will feel better too. We have to work on that. They are good players so we don’t have a lot of work on the pitch and I feel sorry for them. We want to give them the confidence they need.”
“Tactically, the first half was good, with the ball and without the ball. I’m not confident we’ll play great football, but we did what we’ve been working on this week. When the players have confidence, they can play better.”
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Tottenham’s crisis worsens (Image: ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images)
The former Brighton manager added: “My job isn’t that much on the pitch. They’re good lads but I’m disappointed. I can be a big brother and a father.”
“They don’t need a coach. They don’t need to improve their football. They need confidence… Once they can win a game, everything will change.”
That change needs to happen quickly. Spurs face Brighton next Saturday, which will be crucial before two relegation rivals, Nottingham Forest and West Ham, take part. A win would take them out of the relegation zone, something they have yet to achieve in the Premier League in 2026.
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