The sense of relief at full time was evident as Tottenham Hotspur celebrated avoiding relegation from the Premier League. Whether or not this was cause for celebration is open to interpretation. This was a dismal season for the North London club, but relegation to the Championship would have made it catastrophic.
Before Roberto De Zerbi’s emergency appointment as manager, Spurs had looked doomed. The team was heading for the second tier of English soccer until the former Brighton and Marseille energised the club. De Zerbi now has a platform to build on having won over hearts and minds in saving Tottenham.
While Spurs will play Premier League soccer next season, this summer must mark the start of a period of fundamental change across the board. There are fresh questions being asked of the people leading the club. Many believe sporting director Johan Lange should be shown the door before the start of the 2026/27 campaign.
On the field, though, Tottenham must focus on signing some players who can do a better job of controlling possession. De Zerbi’s trademark apoproach requires players capable of taking and doing something with the ball under pressure. Currently, Spurs don’t have enough of those players, certainly not in midfield.
Tottenham’s injury record must also be addressed. Injuries have decimated the Spurs squad in each of the last two seasons and so De Zerbi players he knows will be available for the majority of the campaign. Some of Spurs’ most injury-prone squad members might need to be shown the exit door.
“I am really happy for the manager, who has come in and steered the ship clear because without him it could have been doom and gloom,” said midfielder James Maddison when asked about De Zerbi’s impact. “The appointment kind of saved the disaster from happening. Without that appointment, disaster could have maybe struck. But it didn’t and he takes a lot of credit for that.”
Tottenham’s supporters deserve better than what they were put through by their under-performing team this season. This is a club that should be competing near the top end of the Premier League table. Spurs has everything in its favour to be successful. It only has itself to blame that recent league form has been so underwhelming.
Sunday must be a catalyst for better times. De Zerbi appears to be a good fit for the North London club. The Italian has forged a connection with the Tottenham supporters in a way Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor never did. Now Spurs must make changes to ensure this sort of thing never happens again.