The appointment of Roberto De Zerbi as the new manager of Tottenham Hotspur is already proving to be controversial.
Several Spurs fan groups officially recognised by the club have voiced concerns over De Zerbi due to the Italian's previous comments about Mason Greenwood -- the ex-Manchester United forward who was charged with one count of attempted rape, one count of controlling and coercive behaviour and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm in October 2022.
The Crown Prosecution Service dropped the charges in February 2023 after key witnesses withdrew and "new material came to light."
Greenwood then joined Marsielle in 2024, when De Zerbi was the manager of the Ligue 1 side.
De Zerbi later praised Greenwood as "a good guy" who had paid a "heavy price" because "I know a totally different person than the one who was described."
These comments form the basis of the opposition by three Spurs fan groups -- Proud Lilywhites, Women of the Lane and Spurs Reach -- and the official Tottenham Hotspur's Supporters' Trust, who have all issued statements expressing discomfort with the appointment of De Zerbi.
What Proud Lilywhites said before De Zerbi was announced:
Before De Zerbi was officially announced as the new Spurs manager, the club's LGBTQ+ supporters group Proud Lilywhites on their social media accounts said:
"As Proud Lilywhites, we care deeply about this club, not just what happens on the pitch, but what Tottenham stands for off it. This isn't just about results or style of football. It's about values, identity, and the kind of people we choose to represent us.
"Football doesn't exist in a vacuum. Clubs set standards, whether they intend to or not, and those standards shape how people feel, who feels welcome, and what behaviour is seen as acceptable," the statement continued.
"[..] The manager plays a huge role in that. They set the tone every day through what they say, what they overlook, and what they defend.
"[..] When someone in that position publicly defends a player like Mason Greenwood, and frames it in a way that downplays the seriousness of what happened, it matters, not just in isolation but in what it signals.
"We are not asking for perfection. We are asking for accountability, transparency, and leadership that reflects the values this club claims to stand for."
What Proud Lilywhites said after De Zerbi was announced:
Proud Lilywhites issued a follow-up statement once De Zerbi's appointment was made official by Spurs that said:
"Whilst we disagree with the managerial choice, in terms of culture and competence, we will continue to support the players without pretending to be comfortable with the appointment,
"Staying silent is not the answer. But choosing when and where to be vocal matters. Managers come and go. Executives come and go. Players come and go. Fans remain. We are the constant in this club.
"[...] This is not noise or reaction. It is a considered position, and it is not going away."
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What Women of the Lane said before De Zerbi was announced:
Meanwhile, Women of the Lane -- a Spurs supporters' group that describes itself as a space for "women and non-binary Spurs fans to meet up, connect online and eradicate sexism & misogyny in football" -- also issued a strong statement expressing disappointment over De Zerbi's hiring, having already said prior to the official announcement that the appointment raised "serious questions about judgment and leadership."
Women of the Lane said before De Zerbi was appointed that he has "publicly Mason Greenwood in a way that downplays the seriousness of male violence against women and girls."
What Women of the Lane said after De Zerbi was announced:
"Culture is what you do, not what you say. It isn't built in statements. It's built in decisions. In who you appoint. In what you are prepared to overlook," the most recent statement by Women of the Lane reads.
"This appointment looks the other way and we will continue to challenge the club on it."
What Spurs Reach said before De Zerbi was announced:
Spurs Reach, the official Tottenham Hotspur Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage supporters' association, said before De Zerbi officially joined the club that the appointment was worrying as De Zerbi's Greenwood comments risked "normalising harmful attitudes, diminishing the experiences of survivors, and sending a deeply concerning message about what is tolerated within the game."
Following the official announcement of De Zerbi as manager, Spurs Reach said:
"As a group of fans who care about inclusion, representation and how people are treated, this one doesn't fully sit right with us, both culturally and in the bigger picture.
"We just want the people leading the club to reflect values where every supporter feels respected and part of it."
What Spurs Reach said after De Zerbi was announced:
In a later statement, Spurs Reach also said that they will continue to support the team -- despite De Zerbi's arrival.
"We're Spurs through and through, always have been, always will be. Managers and players come and go, but the fans are the constant. Our support for the club we love, the community, and each other goes way beyond any one appointment.
The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust -- which often works with the club on campaigns and fan initiatives -- issued a statement after the official announcement of De Zerbi as manager in which they acknowledged the "need to act with urgency as Spurs face the prospect of relegation" but also said that "the appointment raises serious and far-reaching concerns," claiming that "many fans have been in touch with us to urge us to communicate the strength of feeling."
The Trust said De Zerbi's comments about Greenwood were "unnecessary, ill-judged, and deeply offensive to a significant number of supporters and, without doubt, will have left victims of male violence alarmed."
"Any perceived sympathy toward alleged perpetrators of physical or sexual violence against women fundamentally undermines trust in the custodianship of this club," the Trust's statement further continued.
"We will continue to support efforts to get behind the team and play our part in preserving the club's Premier League status but it is understandable that many fans will do so with a heavy heart."
In Tottenham's official announcement of De Zerbi as manager, there was no mention of the concerns raised by fan groups or De Zerbi's previous comments about Greenwood.
Tottenham's sporting director Johan Lange said: "Roberto was our number one target for the summer, and we are very pleased to be able to bring him in now.
"He is one of the most creative and forward-thinking coaches in world football, and brings with him a wealth of experience at the highest level, including in the Premier League."