To whom it may concern,
My name is Dustin George-Miller. I am managing editor of Cartilage Free Captain, the largest Tottenham Hotspur fan blog in the United States. But I am writing to you today as an international Spurs fan deeply disturbed by some of what I am hearing in the media.
Recently there have been rumors, some from well respected journalists, that the Club is considering appointing Roberto De Zerbi as its next permanent manager. While I fully understand the extremely unreliable nature of “transfer rumors,” especially regarding such an incredibly high profile appointment as the Head Coach of Tottenham Hotspur, this particular rumor seems to have more gravitas than most. I acknowledge that the situation surrounding the managerial position at Spurs is complicated, in flux, and highly dependent on the Club’s status at the end of the season, but I wanted to personally write and express my emphatic opposition to the appointment of De Zerbi and would strongly suggest that the Club look to other candidates, of which there are no doubt many.
Roberto De Zerbi is without a doubt a talented football manager. He is also a highly divisive figure within the coaching ranks. His public falling out with his previous managerial appointments at Brighton and Marseille should be a huge red flag for the club when it comes to who should take charge. De Zerbi has proven himself to be caustic, acerbic, high strung, and confrontational in his interactions -- just one example is the sideline confrontation he had with Cristian Stellini that resulted in both managers being ejected and issued heavy fines. We have had hot-tempered managers before. It rarely ends well, or long.
But more importantly, I am extremely concerned with the club’s (apparent) flirtation with De Zerbi considering his history of apologia for sexual violence and rape. In particular, his decision, while at Marseille, to acquire and vigorously defend Mason Greenwood, a player credibly accused of rape and sexual assault, should be disqualifying for a club of Tottenham Hotspur’s stature. Hiring a manager who showed support for Greenwood at a time when he was exceedingly toxic throughout world football sends a terrible message to Tottenham supporters who are survivors of sexual assault -- it suggests the club prioritizes on-pitch results more than relationships with its own supporters.
I would remind the Club leadership of the fan outrage that emerged a few years ago when Spurs seemingly were interested in appointing Gennaro Gattuso to the managerial position. That proved to be exceedingly unpopular. This would be far, far worse. Some things are more important than football. This is one of them. Tottenham’s culture needs a hard reset after the past two years, but I can’t think of a worse way of establishing that culture than by alienating a significant portion of the fan base that are sexual abuse survivors. I have heard from many, many Spurs fans through my connections at Cartilage Free Captain and on social media, and the vast majority oppose the idea of appointing De Zerbi.
Obviously, I do not know for sure whether the Club is seriously considering the appointment of De Zerbi. If it turns out the Club is not, I would welcome that news. I would however again reiterate my, and my blog’s, strong opposition to his hypothetical appointment. There are plenty of managers who would do an excellent job managing Tottenham Hotspur, in whatever division they find themselves in, that do not contain the excessive baggage that Roberto De Zerbi carries with him. I would, in the strongest possible terms, suggest the club eliminate him as a potential candidate.
Tottenham Hotspur fans are smart. They understand the realities of modern football, but also are not willing to appoint problematic characters for the sole purpose of winning football matches. They also deeply care about the culture within the club. The fan protests over Gattuso (and, related, the attempt to join the Super League) should prove that. It did not work with Jose Mourinho. It did not work with Antonio Conte. It will not work with Roberto De Zerbi, and his appointment would only prove that the Club leadership is willfully blind to the real pain suffered by its supporters who are survivors of sexual abuse and rape.
Please choose someone else.