Roberto De Zerbi, the 47-year-old manager of Tottenham Hotspur, took charge of the club with the clear ambition of returning the team to the top of the Premier League. Although he boasts of his love for the transfer window, his early experiences on the bench have proven to be extremely demanding and stressful for everyone involved.
In his first season in 2025/26, De Zerbi led Tottenham through seven games, securing three wins, two draws, and two defeats. His debut on the bench was far from ideal, with a 1-0 loss to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. That defeat left a deep mark on the players, who lay on their backs in the dressing room after the match, with some even crying out of frustration.
At the height of the crisis, De Zerbi asked the players if they were dead, which illustrates the seriousness of the situation in the dressing room. The manager had only seven games to save Tottenham from relegation from the Premier League. Ultimately, the club secured their survival on the final day of the season, which was a crucial moment for De Zerbi's position as manager.
Before the season ended, Tottenham undertook a tour in Sydney. The club's accommodation was in a hotel near the iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House, which provided a temporary change of scenery after a difficult season. However, focus now shifts to the future and strengthening the squad.
Tottenham invested a record £237m in new players, indicating ambitious plans from the board. Despite high expectations and significant financial investment, De Zerbi will need to prove that he can utilise these resources for long-term success and a return to the top of English football.
