Roberto de Zerbi says he is not a better manager than Thomas Frank or Igor Tudor but his “passion” will help restore Tottenham’s DNA as they look to keep the club away from relegation.
Frank left after less than eight months at Spurs, leaving Tudor in 17th place, one point above the relegation zone, with 44 days to go.
De Zerbi, the third head coach to take charge of the team this season, has seven games left to take Spurs out of the bottom three, but his first game will be away to Sunderland on Sunday, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Ahead of that match, the former Brighton and Marseille head coach revealed his admiration for his predecessors, and then outlined that it is the passion and personality he brings to the role that will restore the club’s DNA and help the team avoid relegation.
“I’m not better than Thomas Frank or Igor Tudor. I think they’re very good coaches, but I bring my style, myself, my character, my character, my passion and try to help the players show that quality,” he said in his first press conference as Spurs manager.
“And to achieve the goal. The most important part is the goal (avoiding relegation). My style is part of that. One part is the style of play and the other part is about character and personality.”
“We don’t have time to spend on principles and build-up. We want to improve our organization both with and without the ball.
“What I want to do and what I want to achieve is character. The right spirit, courage to play and attack. The DNA of this club and team is to find goals and score.”
“This part allows me to convey my principles.”
Sunday, April 12th 1:00 p.m.
Kickoff at 2pm
De Zerbi understands time constraints well.
A common theme in De Zerbi’s first pre-match press conference in the Spurs hot seat was a reference to the short amount of time players have to make changes.
Asked why he decided to bring only two former coaches, Marcatilio Marcatilio and Marcello Quinto, to the club, he replied: “This situation is completely different because I don’t have time to work like I did at Brighton.
“We don’t want to confuse the players. We need a clear game plan without too many instructions. The players have to play with courage and character. They have to fight. My request is that they show the right spirit.”
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De Zerbi spoke about his long-term commitment to the club and addressed criticism over his comments about Mason Greenwood. YouTube Credit: @TottenhamHotspur
When asked why he chose Spurs despite the situation they are in, the same answer followed, but the positive answer was “time.”
“We had 12 days until the first game. It was important for me to have more than a week. I thought it might be important to understand the problem.”
“Speaking just for soccer, we don’t want to give too many instructions on the pitch. But our organization wants to achieve this goal within 10 days, with or without the ball.”
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Behind the scenes of De Zerbi’s first training session in charge of Spurs as he begins to form his new team (Video source: Tottenham Hotspur)
What is your message to your fans? A message to the players
Tottenham fans will once again be asked to support their team ahead of the first of seven crucial games to avoid relegation on Sunday.
Fans flooded the streets to welcome the players bus to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in their last game against Nottingham Forest, but they subsequently lost 3-0 to their relegation rivals.
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Spurs supporters filled the streets of north London and cheered as the players arrived for the crucial game against Nottingham Forest.
De Zerbi was asked if he had a message for the fans ahead of the first game, but he declined, instead pointing to the players and staff and explaining that they need to “deserve” their support with their performances on the pitch.
He added: “In the last game against Nottingham Forest, they were excellent before the game so I don’t have a particular message. The message is for the staff and the players.”
“The fans are suffering just like the players, so we deserve their support.
“For the fans, there is only one team. Players can change (teams), but for the fans it is special and there is only one team. We have to play well on the pitch, with the right spirit, attitude and behavior, and please the fans.”
“That way, it will be easier to score points.”
