Jermain Defoe believes Roberto De Zerbi has the quality to help Tottenham Hotspur avoid relegation and achieve long-term success at the club.
De Zerbi was appointed as Spurs’ new permanent coach on Tuesday after the dismissal of Igor Tudor and will now be tasked with keeping the club in the top-flight ahead of next season.
The former Brighton head coach is the North London club’s third manager of the season, although his task is much more difficult given the club’s injury crisis and position on the standings.
However, Defoe who was named head coach of lower-league side Woking last week, has backed the Italian for an extended stay at the club.
“Obviously you always want to wish the teams that you play for the best. He’s someone that comes in with an unbelievable CV. When you look at his playing style, as football fans you have to appreciate and enjoy the way they play”, Defoe stated.
“I remember the (De Zerbi) Brighton team, watching Brighton play thinking, ‘wow, this is the right way to play football’. He’s going into a massive football club but he’s someone with a good CV and someone who backs himself.”
Tottenham are 17th on the standings currently and are just a single point above 18th-placed West Ham United, with just seven league matches left.
They are also winless in the Premier League so far in 2026, adding to their woes in recent outings.
“I just hope this group of players can respond and get the results they need,” continued Defoe.
“A lot of the players haven’t experienced this before, the fans and the club have not been through this situation before.
“Hopefully they can come out of it and with this manager, I’m sure he’s good enough to get the results they need”, he concluded.
De Zerbi will be in charge of Spurs for the first time when they face Sunderland on April 12, hoping to begin his tenure with a much-needed win to boost their survival chances.
Olakitan is a young writer with a strong passion for sports, having gained experience with IndyPress and Nimelssa Press. His enthusiasm for sports inspired him to cover events both within his school and beyond. With a deep understanding of the game and a refined skillset, he brings sports coverage to a broad, global audience in a way that’s engaging and accessible.
