Ange Postecoglou parted ways with Tottenham Hotspur last summer despite delivering the UEFA Europa League, but it goes without saying that his team always adopted an attractive brand of football.
Since his departure, it’s safe to say the North London side have struggled, with Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor not lasting long at the club.
And now, Roberto De Zerbi’s arrival is expected to breathe new life into a club that has struggled for form and consistency in 2026.
Tottenham are in the relegation zone after West Ham’s 4-0 win against Wolves last night as the horrifying prospect of relegation continues to loom large at N17.
And now, ahead of the game against Sunderland, Roberto De Zerbi spoke to the media about Tottenham adopting a brand of football that was last seen under Ange Postecoglou.
De Zerbi to play Ange-ball
Under the Australian, Tottenham struggled in the Premier League during his second season but managed to break their trophy drought by winning the Europa League.
They also did so while playing an attractive brand of football, which went in line with Tottenham’s strategy in their recent history.
Under Thomas Frank, however, things quickly went downhill for them. The brand of football was defensive and drab, while results across all competitions were below-par, to say the least.
Igor Tudor worked with bare bones and did his best, but it didn’t quite work out for him either.
And now, De Zerbi believes Tottenham need to go back to their roots as he named four players who can aid his cause.
“I want to keep the ball. I want to see again the Tottenham I watched with Postecoglou because in my second season in Brighton, there was Postecoglou here with a lot of these players and it was one of the best teams in terms of quality of play,” said De Zerbi.
“With Pedro Porro, Udogie, Van de Ven, with Romero and I would like to see it again.”
Tottenham players have individual meetings with De Zerbi
De Zerbi has had well over a week to work with his squad. And while that isn’t enough time to adopt a completely new brand of football, the Italian has revealed that he has held individual meetings with the Tottenham players to get his ideas across.
“I’ve had a lot of individual meetings with the players. A lot. I’ve spoken with all players. I analysed Sunderland because it is a tough game. They are playing a great season with very good players and a very good coach,” said the new head coach.
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“I have no time to think of other things. Just football, just meeting the players, organising, transferring and finding the best way to transfer my ideas, two or three, not too many ideas, that I want to see on the pitch from Sunday.”
The game against Sunderland is the most important one in Tottenham’s recent history, more so after West Ham’s 4-0 win against Wolves yesterday.
It’s unfair to put so much pressure on De Zerbi’s first game, but the Italian has walked into Hotspur Way with his eyes open and has seemed fairly confident of getting the job done.
Now it’s time to walk the walk, Roberto.
