Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi has given a blunt verdict on his side’s 1-0 defeat at Leeds United, saying he was unhappy with the mentality, fight and competitive attitude of his players. He went to Elland Road expecting to build on a recent revival that had brought wins over Coventry City, Chelsea and Crystal Palace, results that lifted the mood around the club and convinced fans he was finding the right formula after a rough start to 2026-27. That run ended when substitute Noah Okafor scored the winner in the 79th minute, leaving Spurs 10th in the table and a long way from consistently challenging the top sides.
The match was dominated by the decision not to send off Leeds defender Jayden Bogle for his challenge on Mathys Tel, which forced the French attacker off the pitch. Referee John Brooks and VAR official Tony Harrington let Bogle stay on, and BBC Sport reports that Tottenham plan to raise the incident with PGMOL. De Zerbi refused to let the controversy excuse the performance, though, and asked why his players had not shown the courage and fight needed to beat Leeds.
Speaking after the game, he said Spurs lost too many individual battles, failed to use the space available and made poor choices when they had the chance to take control. He felt the team lacked the confidence and personality to impose themselves, and he accepted that bad days happen but insisted his players must admit their flaws instead of hunting for excuses. He still believes Tottenham can become a top side if everyone faces up to the problems the defeat exposed, and that the squad has the technical and physical quality to compete. In his view, though, that quality counts for little without determination, bravery and the right mentality, and the message was aimed squarely at the senior players who should lead in tough games. What disappointed him most was not just the lost points but how his team struggled to respond once Leeds turned up the pressure.
Even so, he did not suggest his players lack ability. He admitted the team may not yet be developed enough to sustain good performances over several matches, and said consistency remains the big concern. The display also surprised him, because training had gone well and the staff had spent a lot of time preparing the players for the intensity and atmosphere at Elland Road. The problems that appeared were therefore not unforeseen, which made the lack of response all the more frustrating, and he now expects his squad to learn from it and show a stronger mentality next time out.
De Zerbi was also unhappy with the referee’s handling of the Bogle and Pedro Porro incidents. Bogle stayed on the pitch after his challenge on Tel despite a lengthy VAR check, yet Porro was booked in the second half for a challenge on Leeds forward Lukas Nmecha. De Zerbi questioned why the two incidents were judged by such different standards. He admitted he could not say for sure whether Bogle’s tackle merited a straight red, but found the referee’s approach hard to understand and thought Porro’s booking was harsh compared with the Tel decision. For Spurs fans, the biggest grievance is that the team may have missed out on a disciplinary advantage after Tel was hurt.
The disagreement has reportedly pushed the club towards a formal approach to PGMOL, focused on the challenge itself, the review process and the decision to let Bogle remain on the pitch. Tottenham are said to be particularly unhappy because Tel could not continue. It is worth stressing that the reported plan to raise concerns is not confirmation that any formal action has actually been filed. The episode does highlight growing frustration over officiating and VAR, with supporters increasingly demanding transparency when potentially dangerous challenges are reviewed, particularly when a player is injured.
For De Zerbi, the loss is an unwelcome check on his rebuild. Three straight wins had raised hopes of a more competitive team, but Elland Road showed there are still weaknesses to fix. He must sharpen his players’ decision-making, toughen their mentality and help them cope better in physical games, while expecting his senior men to take more responsibility when things get hard. Spurs cannot rely on individual brilliance or the odd good display if they want to join the league’s elite, and the next task is making sure this setback does not trigger another spell of inconsistent results.
His criticism may sound harsh, but it is meant to show the players the standards expected of those who wear the Tottenham shirt. Ultimately, De Zerbi believes the talent is already in the squad. What he wants now is more courage, stronger character and the consistency to turn that potential into real success.
