Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto de Zerbi expressed that he was “not surprised” by the backlash from supporters following his comments about Mason Greenwood.
De Zerbi’s hiring faced opposition from some fan groups due to remarks he made about Greenwood, a player he managed while at Marseille. This led him to issue an apology shortly after taking the helm at Spurs.
Former Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood was charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault causing actual bodily harm in 2022, but those charges were dropped in February 2023.
When asked about the negative fan reaction, De Zerbi stated, “I wasn’t surprised,” adding, “I felt a bit sad and sorry for the situation because I regret that anyone was offended.”
As he prepares for his first match in charge against Sunderland on Sunday (14:00 BST), he emphasized, “This is a personal issue for me; I am sensitive to it, especially as a father of a daughter.”
“I must repeat my stance: I have always opposed any form of violence, particularly against women, including sexist jokes or behaviours. Being a father makes me more aware of these issues, and I understand my character, so I wasn’t bothered by the questions; I just felt sad.”
De Zerbi’s initial comments about Greenwood, which sparked anger among Tottenham fans, were made last November prior to a Champions League match against Newcastle.
“I don’t want to interfere in anyone’s personal matters,” said the former Marseille manager. “However, I see Mason as a good person who has faced significant challenges. Here, he’s likely found a supportive environment that offers him compassion.”
De Zerbi was criticized for seeming to downplay the severity of the allegations against Greenwood and for framing Greenwood as a victim. The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust stated that they couldn’t support De Zerbi’s appointment, and Ali Speechly, co-founder of Women of the Lane, also voiced opposition to his hiring.
‘I’m not better than Frank or Tudor’
On the pitch, De Zerbi’s first game as Spurs manager will be against Sunderland, who currently occupy 11th place in the league, following his appointment on March 31.
He is the third manager this season for Tottenham, succeeding Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor, the latter of whom lasted only 44 days and seven matches.
After West Ham’s victory over Wolves on Friday, Spurs now find themselves in the Premier League’s relegation zone with seven games remaining.
De Zerbi conveyed his pride in managing the club, stating, “I believe in the players’ quality as I nearly signed many of them for my previous teams.”
He added, “I don’t consider myself better than Frank or Tudor; they are both excellent coaches. I aim to bring my style, character, and strengths to help us reach our objectives, which is the most critical factor right now.”
Tottenham has not secured a domestic league victory in 2026 and has only two league wins since October 26, 2025. Historically, Spurs have only spent one season outside the top-flight league, which was in 1977-78.
De Zerbi remarked, “This is a significant opportunity for me because Tottenham is an important club in the Premier League, which is the best league in the world.” He acknowledged, “My message to the staff and players is that we must earn the fans’ support as they suffer alongside us. For the fans, there’s only one club; players may change, but the club remains special to them. We need to bring them joy through our spirit and performance on the field to make securing points easier.”
‘I would like to stay for a long time’
Mohammed Kudus is likely to miss the rest of the season due to a thigh injury [Getty Images]
This season has been challenging for Tottenham due to injuries to key players, including long-term absentees Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison.
Striker Dominic Solanke has also been out for months with an ankle problem, while Xavi Simons has faced fitness issues in his first season in England.
Mohammed Kudus, who transferred from West Ham in the summer, has encountered setbacks in his recovery from a thigh injury this week, which may require surgery, making it unlikely for him to play again this season.
“Kudus was a crucial player in my plans, particularly for that position, but we must focus on the future,” said De Zerbi. “We have many talented attackers, and we need to support them to perform at their best. I know [Randal] Kolo Muani has faced difficulties this season, but he’s a capable player, as is Mathys Tel, whom I wanted at Marseille.”
“Simons is a great talent, and players like Richarlison and [Dominic] Solanke are already well-known to me, so we need to provide them with the best conditions to succeed.”
De Zerbi confirmed that goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario will not travel to Sunderland after undergoing hernia surgery during the international break.
The 46-year-old expressed a desire to remain at Tottenham long-term, stating, “I hope to stay for many years. My vision is not at this moment about titles but rather about ensuring Tottenham maintains its place in the Premier League.”