New Tottenham Hotspur head coach Roberto De Zerbi don land for London with one serious mission: to make sure Spurs no go drop from Premier League. The Italian manager, wey dem appoint on 31 March, go take charge of him first match dis Sunday when Spurs travel go face Sunderland for Stadium of Light.
De Zerbi talk say him no dey feel say him better pass Thomas Frank or Igor Tudor, the two coaches wey manage Spurs before am dis season. “I think I am not better than Frank or Tudor because I consider them very good coaches,” De Zerbi yarn during him first press conference. “I try to bring my style, my character, my personality and my strengths to achieve our target, which is the most important part now.”
Target na simple one: survival. Tottenham dey just one point above relegation zone with seven matches remain. Dem no win any league match for 2026, and dem only get two victories since October. European campaign don end for last 16 after 7-5 aggregate loss to Atletico Madrid. Since 1950, Spurs only spend one season outside top flight.
“For me, it was a big opportunity because Tottenham are a very important club in the Premier League and the Premier League is the best league in the world,” De Zerbi talk. Him manage Brighton & Hove Albion and Olympique de Marseille before. Him sign five-year contract with Spurs, and him vow say him go stay even if dem go down.
But first, him get injury wahala to manage. Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison dey injured. Dominic Solanke just return from ankle problem. Xavi Simons dey struggle with fitness. Summer signing Mohammed Kudus face possible operation on thigh injury and no likely play again dis season. “Kudus was in my head a crucial player, especially for the position but we have to look forward,” De Zerbi talk.
Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario go miss Sunderland trip after hernia surgery, meaning Antonin Kinsky fit start. Rodrigo Bentancur still dey regain full fitness. De Zerbi talk say attackers like Randal Kolo Muani, Mathys Tel and Richarlison must step up now.
Him also send subtle message to Conor Gallagher, the midfielder wey join from Atlético Madrid for £35m in January. “I want to see again the same Gallagher I loved in Chelsea at the time,” De Zerbi talk. Gallagher get just one assist since him join, and De Zerbi want am to improve quickly.
For Sunderland side, dem dey comfortable for mid-table, no dey fight relegation. Dem even dey dark horse for Europe. But dem don lose three straight home games recently. Spurs get strong record against Sunderland—dem no lose to dem for 15 Premier League meetings since 2010.
De Zerbi talk say him plan dey to stay long for Tottenham. “In my plan, the idea is to stay for a long time. I’m not speaking about titles because it’s not the right moment now, but to help Tottenham stay in the Premier League,” him yarn. Him add say him believe Spurs get everything to challenge for title for future.
Meanwhile, for Marseille, new president Stéphane Richard don use him first press conference to take swipe at Liverpool spending. Richard talk say Liverpool invest €480m last summer but still dey face disappointment. Marseille dey fight for Champions League qualification after departures of president Pablo Longoria and coach Roberto De Zerbi.
Back to Spurs, De Zerbi talk say him want players to play with courage and personality. “I don’t want to put confusion inside of the players. They have to be with a clear plan of the game and not too much instruction, not too much thinking,” him talk. Him say after one week with players, him dey more positive about survival chances.
Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris get some injury concerns too. Daniel Ballard no fit play, but goalkeeper Robin Roefs don return fit. Sunderland possible starting lineup include Roefs, Lutsharel Geertruida, Luke O'Nien, Omar Alderete, Trai Hume, Mandela Sadiki, Granit Xhaka, Lassana Diarra, Chris Rigg, Brian Brobbey and Montassar Talbi.
Spurs possible lineup include Antonin Kinsky, Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie, João Palhinha, Archie Gray, Mathys Tel, Xavi Simons, Richarlison and Dominic Solanke.
De Zerbi get track record of winning him first league match at three of him last four clubs—Sassuolo, Shakhtar Donetsk and Marseille. Only Brighton exception. Him hope to continue dat trend on Sunday. Match go kick off 2pm UK time.
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