Roberto De Zerbi seems to have made an impact on Tottenham players in just a few days. It would be crucial as well, considering their precarious situation in the Premier League.
Tottenham are 17th in the standings, just one point above the relegation zone. Along with their players’ abilities, they will need every bit of unity, composure, and drive they can muster over the last seven games to avoid the drop.
They have appointed De Zerbi as their third manager this season, following Thomas Frank and interim manager Igor Tudor, and he is rated very highly. Notably, the Italian received a glowing review from former Spurs star Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in November last year.
Hojbjerg details De Zerbi’s connection with the dressing room
De Zerbi took charge of his first training session at the Hotspur Way on Friday, April 3. The Tottenham players were impressed by the Italian, with one unnamed player even labeling it ‘outstanding’.
This is in line with Hojbjerg’s immense praise for the 46-year-old head coach in an interview with Onze Mondial in November. He said:
“For me, it’s an honour to work with him. The coach… I don’t know how to explain it. He has a connection with the dressing room, he has an emotional relationship with the dressing room, Mourinho had the same thing.”
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“Roberto De Zerbi has a feel for the dressing room, he understands the atmosphere, he grasps the behaviours, he knows in advance what’s going to happen the next day… (he pauses). Okay, I’ll stop there, otherwise I’ll end up saying too many wonderful things (smiles). It’s an honour to work with such a coach, in any case.”
Hojbjerg even likened De Zerbi to Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, and Antonio Conte, saying:
“I’ve been lucky enough to have coaches like [Pep] Guardiola, José Mourinho, and Antonio Conte. And I put Roberto De Zerbi in the same category.”
Hojbjerg played 62 games under De Zerbi at Marseille and recorded six goals and seven assists from central midfield. He played under Guardiola at Bayern Munich and Mourinho and Conte at Tottenham.
Hojbjerg’s comments will give Tottenham fans some hope
After an abysmal season, there is, unsurprisingly, a big lack of belief amidst the Tottenham fanbase. It further intensified after their 3-0 defeat against relegation rivals Nottingham Forest at home in their last game.
However, De Zerbi’s arrival has brought in new hope at the club among both fans and players. He will get around 10 days of training before his first game in charge. Moreover, key players like Mohammed Kudus could also return to action.
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This renewed optimism, however, will need strengthening on April 12 when they face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. If they fail to beat the Black Cats, it could soon turn into despair again.
