Roberto De Zerbi admits Tottenham need confidence and guidance after a 1-0 loss to Sunderland, as their Premier League survival hopes hang in the balance.
Roberto De Zerbi has admitted that Tottenham players need guidance and belief rather than tactical coaching after a 1-0 defeat to Sunderland deepened their relegation worries.
The Italian, who recently replaced Igor Tudor, saw his side begin the weekend in the Premier League drop zone following West Ham United’s win over Wolverhampton Wanderers. Spurs’ latest setback came courtesy of a heavily deflected effort from Nordi Mukiele, leaving them two points adrift of safety with just six matches remaining in the season.
Tottenham’s struggles have been prolonged, with the club failing to win a league game since late December. The poor run has left them facing the real prospect of their first relegation since 1977.
Despite the situation, De Zerbi remains hopeful that a single victory could transform the team’s fortunes. He stressed that confidence is the key issue rather than ability, pointing to encouraging signs in training and moments of attacking promise. The manager acknowledged that time is limited, having only recently taken charge, but insisted that his focus is on building belief within the squad. He believes the players possess the quality required to perform at a much higher level.
Roberto De Zerbi’s post-match thoughts from the Stadium of Light 💬 pic.twitter.com/TslTZ0snLU
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) April 12, 2026
Looking ahead, Tottenham face a difficult run of fixtures, including matches against Brighton & Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers, making their search for a crucial win even more urgent.
De Zerbi emphasised that his role goes beyond tactics, describing himself as a “father” or mentor figure for the players. He believes that once confidence is restored, Tottenham will begin to show their true potential and improve performances on the pitch.
