Roberto De Zerbi, the Italian football manager, has given an insight into his approach to managing Tottenham Hotspur, his thoughts on the transfer window, and his relationship with the club's hierarchy. De Zerbi's passion for football is evident, and his enthusiasm for the game is infectious. He believes in building a special connection with players, which he thinks can be achieved by being the key to their transfer. This approach has led him to send an angry text to Tottenham target Jan Paul van Hecke, telling him he had to sign for the club after almost getting them relegated.
De Zerbi's love for the transfer window is well-known, and he calls himself a "shark" when he wants a player. He enjoys the thrill of the hunt and the transformative effect a successful transfer can have on a club. This is particularly true for Tottenham, which has suffered in recent years. De Zerbi has been working closely with the club's CEO, Vinai Venkatesham, and sporting director, Johan Lange, since mid-March during the negotiations for his appointment.
De Zerbi's approach to managing a team is unique. He believes in building a plan for the long-term but also focusing on the short-term to succeed from the off. He wants his players to step up and show they are good enough to stay at the club every day. De Zerbi also wants his players to be creative and enjoy the game, rather than following too many rules.
One of the key moments in De Zerbi's tenure at Tottenham was when he treated the players to a slap-up meal in London. He allowed drinks to flow, which helped to shift the mood and create a positive atmosphere. De Zerbi believes in staying together and transferring his opinion about the players every day. He wants them to feel appreciated and considered top players.
De Zerbi has also paid tribute to the talented coaching staff he found at Tottenham, and he is keen to keep them on. He wants his players to step up, especially leading lights like Micky van de Ven, when senior figures like Cristian Romero and Guglielmo Vicario are granted their wish to leave. De Zerbi is also hopeful that Dejan Kulusevski will be back sooner rather than later after a long-term injury.
In terms of his non-negotiables, De Zerbi expects his players to show testa, head, and cervello (brain) every day. He wants them to play consistently and enjoy the right moments without rules. He doesn't love rules and wants creative players who can think for themselves.
De Zerbi's relationship with the Tottenham hierarchy is an interesting one. He believes in respect and has had both good and bad relationships with owners in the past. All eyes will be on how his relationship with the Tottenham hierarchy develops once the honeymoon ends.
