Roberto De Zerbi has officially been named Tottenham Hotspur’s new manager on a five-year deal as the club battle to stay in the Premier League, but some of his past remarks have already sparked controversy among supporters.
Spurs fans have become increasingly frustrated this season after both Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor were unable to steer the team away from danger. De Zerbi arrives with a strong reputation, having earned praise for his work with Brighton and Marseille in recent years.
However, his previous comments about Mason Greenwood have quickly drawn criticism, prompting a response from the Tottenham Supporters’ Trust. The pair worked together in France before De Zerbi left his role earlier this year.
Supporters Voice Serious Concerns
The Supporters’ Trust has now issued a statement expressing “serious and far-reaching concerns” over the appointment of the 46-year-old, citing his past support for Greenwood. The English forward faced charges of attempted rape, assault causing actual bodily harm, and controlling and coercive behaviour in 2022, although the case was later dropped in 2023.
The situation eventually led to Greenwood’s departure from Manchester United, and many Spurs fans remain unhappy with the way their new manager previously spoke about the player during their time together at Marseille. The Trust described his remarks as “unnecessary, poorly judged, and deeply offensive” to a large section of supporters.
They added that such comments could be particularly troubling for victims of male violence.
De Zerbi Previously Defended Greenwood
Even before Greenwood joined the French club, De Zerbi openly praised his footballing talent, calling him a “world-class” player. More controversially, in November 2025, the Italian manager also spoke positively about Greenwood’s character, describing him as a “good guy” and saying he felt saddened by how the player had been portrayed in England.
He stated that Greenwood had “paid a very heavy price” for what happened.
