Despite avoiding relegation from the Premier League with a 1-0 final-day win against Everton, ex-Tottenham midfielder Jamie Redknapp has called for an inquest to take place
Jamie Redknapp has called for Tottenham to hold a major inquest into their 'embarrassing' season that almost ended in Premier League relegation.
A nervy 1-0 win at home to Everton saw Roberto De Zerbi's side secure survival and finish 17th, having accumulated 41 points from their 38 matches. West Ham, meanwhile, have been relegated and join Wolves and Burnley in the Championship, despite the Hammers thrashing Leeds United 3-0.
There was a huge amount of relief and joy inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after Premier League football was confirmed for another season. After scoring the winner, Joao Palhinha celebrated with the rest of his teammates in a huddle, while De Zerbi ran on to the pitch following the full-time whistle.
But ex-Tottenham midfielder Redknapp believes the club should be embarrassed for scraping survival on the final day - and insisted there must be an enquiry to ensure this situation does not happen again.
"There will be a mixture of total joy but embarrassment as well because you've found yourself in this position but today you have got to enjoy it, the fans have got to enjoy it, the players, the staff but tomorrow there has to be a major inquiry into how this club with this stature and this fan base has got themselves into this predicament but the emotion today, that's all fine but this can't happen again," Redknapp told Sky Sports post-match.
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"Huge three points for them, De Zerbi has come in and made a bit of a difference but not good enough this season, not by any stretch of the imagination."
De Zerbi cut a relieved but delighted figure in his post-match press conference, as the Italian saved Tottenham from relegation. Upon De Zerbi's arrival as Spurs' new coach in March, the club were facing a real fight to remain in the Premier League. But he has made quite the impact since arriving in north London, collecting 11 points from his seven matches at the helm to keep them as a top-flight outfit.
"We worked well but I'm lucky because we have a lot of big players," De Zerbi said. "You can see the game today and see that under big pressure they played fantastic with the ball. Maybe it was the best performance in my time here. It was an incredible game. The football was nice because if you give your best then the results will come.
"I suffered a lot through the game but my life is so nice because of the pressure in football. Without that pressure it would not be nice."
When asked what he could achieve at Tottenham next season, De Zerbi: "Next season we have to build a top, top, top team. We don't have to change too many players in our squad but we have to bring in some first level players."