The recent announcement of Roberto De Zerbi as Tottenham Hotspur’s new head coach has sparked considerable backlash from various fan organisations. These groups express apprehension that the former Marseille and Brighton manager’s appointment could “create a divide among supporters at a time when we all need to be pulling together to back the team.”
De Zerbi officially took the reins on Tuesday afternoon, replacing Igor Tudor, who departed after a mere five games. The Italian has signed a five-year deal, extending until summer 2031, and faces the immediate challenge of guiding Spurs away from relegation, with just seven matches remaining in the 2025-26 Premier League season. Currently, the North London club sits 17th, precariously one point above the drop zone.
Tottenham Fan Groups Condemn De Zerbi’s Appointment
The decision to bring De Zerbi in has drawn criticism for several reasons. Some fans question the club’s choice to offer a five-year contract to a coach who has never managed to stay at a club for more than two full seasons. Others have voiced strong objections to his previous public remarks defending Mason Greenwood, the Marseille forward, who faced charges of attempted rape, assault, and controlling behaviour in 2022, though these charges were subsequently dropped in 2023.
The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust (THST) issued a statement underscoring their concern. They highlighted the club’s prior commitment to “challenging instances of violence against women and girls” and questioned the wisdom of appointing a “divisive” figure at a crucial moment requiring fan unity.
THST’s statement read: “We acknowledge the Club’s announcement of Roberto De Zerbi as Manager. While we recognise the limited options for managers with recent Premier League experience and the urgent need to act given Spurs’ relegation threat, this appointment raises serious and widespread concerns. Many fans have contacted us to convey their strong feelings, and we directly communicated these concerns to the Club before the announcement.”
The Trust continued, “The Club previously pledged to confront violence against women and girls and to uphold its values. De Zerbi’s comments regarding Mason Greenwood were inappropriate, ill-judged, and deeply offensive to a significant portion of our fanbase, alarming victims of male violence. We believe these unchecked statements will foster disunity among supporters when collective backing is most needed. It is troubling that the Club has placed us in this position, especially as fans are rallying behind the ‘All Together, Always’ initiative. If these remarks genuinely reflect his views, they cast a troubling shadow over the values of our beloved Club.”
THST further urged: “The Club must reaffirm its commitment to values cherished by fans – notably equality, respect, and integrity. Any perceived sympathy towards alleged perpetrators of physical or sexual violence against women fundamentally erodes trust in the Club’s stewardship. Clear and unequivocal communication from both the Club and Mr. De Zerbi, along with concrete actions like visible support for women’s charities, are essential.”
They also expressed a preference for a short-term managerial solution to navigate the immediate relegation threat, allowing for a more considered long-term appointment in the summer. “We fully understand that avoiding relegation is the immediate priority. However, this predicament stems from prolonged strategic failures,” the statement concluded, calling for transparency, accountability, and a renewed commitment to Tottenham Hotspur’s defining principles to restore fan faith.
Women of the Lane, an official Spurs supporters’ group for women and non-binary fans, also publicly criticised the decision. Before the appointment, they stated: “De Zerbi has publicly defended Mason Greenwood in a manner that minimises the gravity of male violence against women and girls, raising serious questions about his judgment and leadership.”
They added: “Clubs communicate their values through their decisions. The choice of manager matters; it sets the daily tone for expectations, tolerance, and treatment of people. For many in our community, this decision is hard to reconcile with the club’s stated commitments to respect, safety, and inclusion. This is not an appointment Tottenham Hotspur should make. It introduces unnecessary cultural risk without sufficient proven track record to justify it. No to De Zerbi.”
