Roberto De Zerbi has led Tottenham Hotspur to safety, sealing a place in the Premier League next season at the expense of West Ham.
Tottenham Hotspur have avoided relegation from the Premier League. Joao Palhinha fired Roberto De Zerbi's side to a 1-0 win over Everton on the final day of the season, ensuring the Lilywhites remain in the top flight of English football.
West Ham enjoyed a 3-0 victory against Leeds United, but with Spurs only needing a point to stay up, it wasn't enough. The Hammers have been relegated to the Championship, along with Burnley and Wolves.
De Zerbi was always confident he could keep Tottenham in the Premier League. Speaking to reporters for the first time as the Spurs head coach at the start of April, he expressed confidence in his players.
When asked whether he can keep Spurs in the Premier League, the Italian said: "Yes, yes. I knew before to work with them. I understood that they are good guys.
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"The fans have to be happy, because all players are good guys. They are suffering for this difficult situation. I want to see (what they are like) in the game, because during the week it's easier.
"But I think the voice inside of the pitch has changed. I observed them at the beginning of my time last week, and now I'm more positive for sure."
De Zerbi learned a lot about his players after he lost his first game in charge. Tottenham plunged into the bottom three following a disappointing defeat to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, but the Italian didn't let the result define his tenure.
He said: "You know me as a coach, but one very important part for me, for my style of being a coach, is the mental part, is to transfer the confidence of the players, to give them what they need in terms of mentality, in terms of confidence.
"For that, I said we could play better because during the week they play better, because they are clear with their head, and during the game it's different for sure. My work is to help them to show what they do during the week, on the game, during the game."
On whether the fear of relegation itself was a problem, De Zerbi simply replied: " I think so..."
Tottenham then went on a brilliant four-game unbeaten streak, climbing back out of the relegation zone. The incredible, but nervy run, was crowned with a 1-0 win over Everton on home turf.