Tottenham Hotspur have not won a single game in the 2026/27 Premier League season thus far, and while there have been clear improvements in terms of how Spurs are actually playing, football is a results based business. And with so much money tied up in new players and so much money on the line if Spurs do not make it to European football again - or, worse yet, get relegated this time after last season's close call - manager Roberto De Zerbi does not have as long of a leash as he might think.
There is no true pressure under De Zerbi's feet right now, but, again, after not winning in five games despite nearly 400 million pounds spent on the exact players De Zerbi wanted - and so he has nobody to blame but himself for the deficiencies in the squad, to be frank - there will come a point where Tottenham have to start thinking about drastic measures if things don't improve.
Roberto De Zerbi can't get embarrassed by Man United
Speaking ahead of Tottenham's big clash against Manchester United on Matchday 6 of the Premier League season, legendary Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers striker Alan Shearer put it succinctly on De Zerbi's status. He thinks that if Tottenham don't turn up at all against the Red Devils and get blown out by another struggling giant, then it's time for the heat to be turned up from under Roberto De Zerbi's seat.
Shearer said, via Chris Cowlin, "De Zerbi did a great job, didn't he, last year, in keeping them up in the style that he did and clearly, as part of that, he got the contract he wanted and he got them spending a fortune on players that he wanted and demanded because he had huge power and in a huge position of strength, but he needs to get results now. I guess he'll be the first to tell you that he'll need to get results and he needs to get them quickly. It really depends on the manner of the results as to what action the Spurs board might potentially take in the near future, as at the moment it's not okay. No one wants to lose games, but I guess it's the manner and how you lose them or your manner how you don't win them, which is the standout. There have been little glimpses of improvement and we will have to see what reaction they get at the weekend, but he'll know and everyone else knows that he needs a result. He can't afford to play Man United and be beaten 2 or 3-0, that's for sure."
As always, Alan Shearer is on the money, even if it is uncomfortable to hear. After De Zerbi saved Spurs from relegation and with the caliber of players he brought in like Sandro Tonali and Savio this summer, Tottenham fans don't want to see him go. He has brought charisma and much better football to the table. But he isn't winning. If Spurs get embarrassed by Manchester United this weekend, things could start to get ugly for him.