Goal.com

As Tottenham face the very real threat of relegation, Wanyama has called on the squad and the supporters to throw their full weight behind new appointment De Zerbi. The Italian tactician has inherited a side sitting just one point above the drop zone, but Wanyama believes the former Brighton man is the right person to steady the ship at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Addressing the appointment, Wanyama was full of praise for the new man in the dugout. "I think everyone should just rally behind him," the Kenyan said to The Times. "He’s a fantastic young coach and I think he will deliver. De Zerbi has shown that everywhere he has gone, he has improved the club. So why not with Spurs? I know he will turn things around. He’ll deliver."

The Italian has already made it clear that he is committed to the project long-term, famously stating that he will remain the coach of Tottenham next season, no matter what happens with their league status.

The prospect of Spurs dropping into the Championship would have seemed impossible just two years ago, but a disastrous run of form and an unprecedented injury crisis have left the club reeling. Wanyama admitted he often has to reassure worried neighbours about the club's future.

"I would remind them how good they are," Wanyama said of the current playing staff. "And tell them they have already made history, some of them, by winning the Europa League. They need to make sure they don’t ruin what they have done before, to make sure that they take the club out of the relegation zone. And I know they’re capable of doing that because they are better than people think they are. Where they are right now, it doesn’t define them. It doesn’t define the club."

Wanyama’s most successful years came under Pochettino, who was linked with a return to Spurs before De Zerbi's appointment. While many fans had hoped for a return for the current USMNT boss, Wanyama believes the players must now find the same internal drive that the Argentine used to demand.

"He was like a father figure to everyone because he was there on the field and also off the field," Wanyama recalled. "And he demanded a lot in a very unique way. He used to treat players the way every player needed to be treated. He knew all the strengths of everyone and he knew who needed to be lifted or needed a little bit of a kick to wake up. He was always honest with me. I wanted to show him that I could stay at the highest level with the hard work that he was demanding."

Ange Postecoglou did bring a 17-year wait for major silverware to a close in 2025 when delivering Europa League glory, but was relieved of his managerial duties a matter of weeks later. Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor have both passed through the Spurs dugout since then, with the latter lasting just 44 days and seven games at the helm.

Reins have now been passed to Roberto De Zerbi, with the Italian tactician being charged with the task of overseeing a rescue mission. He has plenty of talent at his disposal, but is having to contend with unfortunate injury issues. Is the squad that he has inherited deep enough to deal with those?

Obvious questions have been asked of movement in and out of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium across recent windows, with the likes of Harry Kane, Hugo Lloris and Heung-min Son departing. Value for money has proved hard to come by when drafting in replacements for seasoned international superstars.

Pressed on whether transfer business is to blame for the mess at Spurs, Friedel - speaking exclusively in association with Gambling.com, the experts in UK Online Casinos - told GOAL: “This is a really tough one. I've been in many debates with people on it. So one of the issues that Tottenham has, they're one foot in the door of being a massive club. They're a big club. It's a great club, by the way. It is a magnificent club. But when you're talking about signing foreign players and you're competing with Man City and you're competing with Liverpool, you're competing with Arsenal and Man United and Chelsea. All those other clubs are seen as Premier League winners and Champions League winners. That's how the foreign agents deal with it. And that's how the foreign players deal with it. And they're right, if you look in the history of who's won the Premier League and who's won the Champions League.

“So to come to Tottenham, you usually get quoted more money: ‘Well, I've come to Tottenham, it's more money’. Tottenham has a lot of money, but they have a little bit less money as well. They're servicing a debt on a stadium. They just built a training ground, and the Lewis family hasn't notably just given 100 million of their own money to go and buy players. So Daniel Levy had to create revenue streams, which he did brilliantly for the club.

“But then you get into this conundrum of, we could sign that player and his value is a hundred grand a week, but he says he'll come to Tottenham on 150 a week. He's not worth 150 a week. Plus, do we want a player that is only coming here for the money? So I think they miss out on a lot of players for sensible reasons.

“So it's not as simple as just going and splashing the cash. Because if you have, let's say the Premier League now this season and Tottenham stay up and Tottenham are going for the same players as Arsenal, which happens often, that these Premier League clubs are going after the similar players. That player will accept a certain amount of money to play for Arsenal and play in the Champions League and with the Premier League winners. It's not going to be the same amount for Tottenham. You go to Tottenham, but only if it's more money because he wouldn't see that winning all the trophies in Tottenham is the thing to do.”

Friedel, who spent four years with Spurs between 2011 and 2015, went on to say: “So the real risk that you have for Tottenham is do we completely obliterate our wage structure and go for it or not? And if you do break your wage structure and go for it, there's no guarantee you're winning the Premier League because Liverpool are going to build again, Man City is going to build again, Man United is getting better and they're going to build again.

“So I commend Daniel Levy for the job that he did with the funds that he was given and the revenue streams that he created. Taking the next step is tough. It's really hard once you've gotten that. And I think Aston Villa are in that very similar situation now. You know, they do another year in the Champions League and they get the money again, their revenue goes up again. They're just about in that same situation.”

De Zerbi has moved to bridge the gap with the Tottenham faithful by apologising for comments made regarding Greenwood. The controversy stems from De Zerbi’s time in Ligue 1, where he worked closely with the ex-Manchester United forward. Upon his appointment as Igor Tudor's successor in north London, various supporters' groups expressed their concerns, with the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust suggesting that De Zerbi's past comments threatened to "create a divide among supporters" at a time when unity is essential to back the team. In his first official interview as Spurs boss, De Zerbi sought to clarify his position and express regret for any distress caused to the fanbase.

De Zerbi was keen to stress that his previous remarks were not intended to minimise serious social issues. "I have never wanted to downplay the issue of violence against women, or violence against anyone more broadly," the former Brighton manager explained. "In my life, I’ve always stood up for those who are more vulnerable, more fragile. I’ve consistently fought and taken a stand to be on the side of those who are most at risk.

"Those of you who know me well will know that I’m not the kind of person who makes compromises to win more games or to win an extra title. I’m sorry if I offended anyone’s feeling with this subject matter. I have a daughter and I’m very sensitive to these things, and I always have been. I hope that over time people will get to know me better and will understand that at that moment I didn’t mean to take a stance."

De Zerbi had previously described Greenwood as a "good guy" when working with him at Marseille, defending his character after the forward's legal troubles while he was on the books of Man Utd. Greenwood was arrested on January 31, 2022, on suspicion of rape and assault. In October that year, he was charged with one count of attempted rape, one count of controlling and coercive behaviour and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The charges against Greenwood, which he always denied, were dropped in February 2023 due to "a combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction."

Greenwood played 68 games for Marseille under De Zerbi after joining the club from United in the summer of 2024. De Zerbi said when pressed on Greenwood's past criminal case during his time at Orange Velodrome: "He’s a good guy, he paid a heavy price for what happened, a very heavy price. He has found the right environment for him. We have lent him a hand and given him affection. He’s a little bit introverted but I know him and his family."

Before Greenwood's move to Marseille was finalised, De Zerbi had also stated: "Mason is a world-class player, but we have not recruited him yet. I don’t know what happened, but I am not used to get involved in my players’ private life. If he comes here, you have to know that I treat all my players like my sons."

De Zerbi will now turn his attention to preparing for his first game in the Tottenham dugout as the club seeks to avoid relegation from the Premier League, with a trip to Sunderland on the cards on April 12.

According to Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport, the north London club have handed De Zerbi a long-term contract running until 2031, granting him unprecedented authority. While modern Premier League structures usually favour a head coach working under a sporting director, Tottenham have given the 46-year-old influence that extends well beyond the training pitch. He is expected to oversee a total overhaul of the club's footballing operations, mirroring the legendary level of control once enjoyed by Ferguson at Manchester United. This comes despite the club fighting a grim relegation battle.

Under the terms of his agreement, De Zerbi is expected to be the central figure in all footballing decisions, including the vital tasks of squad building and recruitment. It is a structure that has become increasingly rare in the modern game, where even serial winners like Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta operate within strict executive frameworks. The report suggests the former Brighton boss was initially hesitant to take the job mid-season. However, the executive team were so determined to land their man that they agreed to align fully with his vision, offering complete managerial autonomy.

Despite grand plans, De Zerbi faces a grim reality. Tottenham sit just one point above the relegation zone, remain winless in 2026, and possess an injury-depleted squad. The manager stressed the immediate need to climb the table while simultaneously building a side capable of “great achievements”. By empowering him so extensively, Spurs have gambled their future on a single philosophy. Success could bring the stability missed since the Mauricio Pochettino era, but relegation would make this decade-spanning structure a severe burden. Ultimately, fans hope this singular football voice ends years of directionless spending.

Despite failing to win a single one of their matches during their European qualifiers campaign, Sweden defied the odds to secure their place in the upcoming World Cup, defeating Poland 3-2 in a dramatic play-off encounter. While the national team celebrated, Kulusevski watched from the sidelines, having not played a single minute of football for almost a year. The Spurs man has been recovering from patella surgery and recently underwent a minor follow-up procedure to clean up his knee.

The road to recovery has been arduous, and the forward was visibly emotional as his teammates booked their spot in Group F alongside Tunisia, Netherlands and Japan. While Liverpool's Alexander Isak is expected to return in time for the tournament, Kulusevski's participation remains shrouded in doubt given the length of his absence.

Speaking to Viaplay, the Swedish international did not shy away from the reality of his situation. "I haven't played in a year. I know what the chances are," Kulusevski admitted. "But if there is one person on the planet who can do this, I would bet on myself. And we are not just going there to participate. Sweden will aim to be one of the best."

His ambition extends far beyond merely making the squad list. The former Juventus man is determined to ensure Sweden are respected on the global stage. "As long as I live, I will do everything I can so that Sweden, when we go out and play, will not be afraid of anyone. Brazil, France, whoever they are. That's why I'm on this planet. To give faith and love to my people," he said.

The 25-year-old recently clarified his medical status following reports of a second operation. He explained that the latest intervention was a positive step toward long-term health rather than a sign of a failing recovery. He remains optimistic that the underlying issues have finally been resolved.

"I understand that people were worried, but it was actually for the wrong reason," Kulusevski said. "It was really positive to undergo this small operation and be able to identify the problem. Now everything should be sorted out. Maybe because of things that won't be known because, at the end of the day, it's only God who decides and no one else."

As he watched his side punch their ticket for their second World Cup of the last 16 years, he was clearly holding back the tears. While Kulusevski focuses on his rehabilitation, the Swedish squad are preparing for a difficult opening fixture against Tunisia on June 15. In his absence, players like Anthony Elanga and Viktor Lindelof have carried the burden of expectation, but there is no doubt that a fit Kulusevski would transform the side's attacking prospects as they head to the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The stakes couldn't be higher for the new man in the dugout. Tottenham confirmed De Zerbi's appointment on a five-year deal to stave off relegation, with the club sitting a precarious one point above the Premier League drop zone. Upon his arrival, De Zerbi expressed his enthusiasm for the challenge despite the team's grim position. He stated: “I am delighted to be joining this fantastic football club, which is one of the biggest and most prestigious in the world. In all my discussions with the Club’s leadership, their ambition for the future has been clear – to build a team capable of reaching great achievements, and to do that playing a style of football that excites and inspires our supporters."

However, delivering on that lofty ambition is already proving difficult. Instead of focusing on a tactical overhaul, the Italian's immediate attention has been forcefully shifted to patching up a severely depleted roster.

The reality of that crowded treatment table became glaringly obvious this week. Midfielder Pape Sarr has become the latest casualty, with the Senegal international reportedly suffering a shoulder injury while away on national team duty. Sarr was unable to feature in Senegal's recent friendly against Gambia, leaving De Zerbi with one less reliable engine in a midfield already stretched to its breaking point.

The timing could not be worse for the former Brighton boss, who has inherited a squad plagued by long-term absences. De Zerbi arrived at the training ground to find that stars such as Guglielmo Vicario, Rodrigo Bentancur, James Maddison, and Dejan Kulusevski are either sidelined or currently unavailable. With further injuries to Mathys Tel and Mohammed Kudus, the Italian coach is facing a selection nightmare as he prepares for his crucial trip to Sunderland on April 12.

While the injury news is a tactical blow, De Zerbi is also battling to win over a fractured fanbase. The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust has already cited "serious and far-reaching concerns" regarding the appointment, primarily due to his past defense of Mason Greenwood during their time together in France. Greenwood was charged in 2022 with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The charges were dropped in January 2023. Fan groups including Proud Lilywhites and Spurs Reach have expressed discomfort with the hire, creating an atmosphere of friction before a ball has even been kicked.

De Zerbi has no time to ease into the role, with Spurs having failed to register a single league win so far in 2026. The upcoming fixture against Sunderland serves as a high-stakes debut, and the lack of a relegation release clause in his long-term contract suggests the board is betting the house on his ability to navigate this crisis. However, without Sarr and several other stars, that task has become significantly harder.

The stakes couldn't be higher for the new man in the dugout. Tottenham confirmed De Zerbi's appointment on a five-year deal to stave off relegation, with the club sitting a precarious one point above the Premier League drop zone. Upon his arrival, De Zerbi expressed his enthusiasm for the challenge despite the team's grim position. He stated: “I am delighted to be joining this fantastic football club, which is one of the biggest and most prestigious in the world. In all my discussions with the Club’s leadership, their ambition for the future has been clear – to build a team capable of reaching great achievements, and to do that playing a style of football that excites and inspires our supporters."

However, delivering on that lofty ambition is already proving difficult. Instead of focusing on a tactical overhaul, the Italian's immediate attention has been forcefully shifted to patching up a severely depleted roster.

The reality of that crowded treatment table became glaringly obvious this week. Midfielder Pape Sarr has become the latest casualty, with the Senegal international reportedly suffering a shoulder injury while away on national team duty. Sarr was unable to feature in Senegal's recent friendly against Gambia, leaving De Zerbi with one less reliable engine in a midfield already stretched to its breaking point.

The timing could not be worse for the former Brighton boss, who has inherited a squad plagued by long-term absences. De Zerbi arrived at the training ground to find that stars such as Guglielmo Vicario, Rodrigo Bentancur, James Maddison, and Dejan Kulusevski are either sidelined or currently unavailable. With further injuries to Mathys Tel and Mohammed Kudus, the Italian coach is facing a selection nightmare as he prepares for his crucial trip to Sunderland on April 12.

While the injury news is a tactical blow, De Zerbi is also battling to win over a fractured fanbase. The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust has already cited "serious and far-reaching concerns" regarding the appointment, primarily due to his past defense of Mason Greenwood during their time together in France. Greenwood was charged in 2022 with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The charges were dropped in January 2023. Fan groups including Proud Lilywhites and Spurs Reach have expressed discomfort with the hire, creating an atmosphere of friction before a ball has even been kicked.

De Zerbi has no time to ease into the role, with Spurs having failed to register a single league win so far in 2026. The upcoming fixture against Sunderland serves as a high-stakes debut, and the lack of a relegation release clause in his long-term contract suggests the board is betting the house on his ability to navigate this crisis. However, without Sarr and several other stars, that task has become significantly harder.

The stakes couldn't be higher for the new man in the dugout. Tottenham confirmed De Zerbi's appointment on a five-year deal to stave off relegation, with the club sitting a precarious one point above the Premier League drop zone. Upon his arrival, De Zerbi expressed his enthusiasm for the challenge despite the team's grim position. He stated: “I am delighted to be joining this fantastic football club, which is one of the biggest and most prestigious in the world. In all my discussions with the Club’s leadership, their ambition for the future has been clear – to build a team capable of reaching great achievements, and to do that playing a style of football that excites and inspires our supporters."

However, delivering on that lofty ambition is already proving difficult. Instead of focusing on a tactical overhaul, the Italian's immediate attention has been forcefully shifted to patching up a severely depleted roster.

The reality of that crowded treatment table became glaringly obvious this week. Midfielder Pape Sarr has become the latest casualty, with the Senegal international reportedly suffering a shoulder injury while away on national team duty. Sarr was unable to feature in Senegal's recent friendly against Gambia, leaving De Zerbi with one less reliable engine in a midfield already stretched to its breaking point.

The timing could not be worse for the former Brighton boss, who has inherited a squad plagued by long-term absences. De Zerbi arrived at the training ground to find that stars such as Guglielmo Vicario, Rodrigo Bentancur, James Maddison, and Dejan Kulusevski are either sidelined or currently unavailable. With further injuries to Mathys Tel and Mohammed Kudus, the Italian coach is facing a selection nightmare as he prepares for his crucial trip to Sunderland on April 12.

While the injury news is a tactical blow, De Zerbi is also battling to win over a fractured fanbase. The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust has already cited "serious and far-reaching concerns" regarding the appointment, primarily due to his past defense of Mason Greenwood during their time together in France. Greenwood was charged in 2022 with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The charges were dropped in January 2023. Fan groups including Proud Lilywhites and Spurs Reach have expressed discomfort with the hire, creating an atmosphere of friction before a ball has even been kicked.

De Zerbi has no time to ease into the role, with Spurs having failed to register a single league win so far in 2026. The upcoming fixture against Sunderland serves as a high-stakes debut, and the lack of a relegation release clause in his long-term contract suggests the board is betting the house on his ability to navigate this crisis. However, without Sarr and several other stars, that task has become significantly harder.

The stakes couldn't be higher for the new man in the dugout. Tottenham confirmed De Zerbi's appointment on a five-year deal to stave off relegation, with the club sitting a precarious one point above the Premier League drop zone. Upon his arrival, De Zerbi expressed his enthusiasm for the challenge despite the team's grim position. He stated: “I am delighted to be joining this fantastic football club, which is one of the biggest and most prestigious in the world. In all my discussions with the Club’s leadership, their ambition for the future has been clear – to build a team capable of reaching great achievements, and to do that playing a style of football that excites and inspires our supporters."

However, delivering on that lofty ambition is already proving difficult. Instead of focusing on a tactical overhaul, the Italian's immediate attention has been forcefully shifted to patching up a severely depleted roster.

The reality of that crowded treatment table became glaringly obvious this week. Midfielder Pape Sarr has become the latest casualty, with the Senegal international reportedly suffering a shoulder injury while away on national team duty. Sarr was unable to feature in Senegal's recent friendly against Gambia, leaving De Zerbi with one less reliable engine in a midfield already stretched to its breaking point.

The timing could not be worse for the former Brighton boss, who has inherited a squad plagued by long-term absences. De Zerbi arrived at the training ground to find that stars such as Guglielmo Vicario, Rodrigo Bentancur, James Maddison, and Dejan Kulusevski are either sidelined or currently unavailable. With further injuries to Mathys Tel and Mohammed Kudus, the Italian coach is facing a selection nightmare as he prepares for his crucial trip to Sunderland on April 12.

While the injury news is a tactical blow, De Zerbi is also battling to win over a fractured fanbase. The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust has already cited "serious and far-reaching concerns" regarding the appointment, primarily due to his past defense of Mason Greenwood during their time together in France. Greenwood was charged in 2022 with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The charges were dropped in January 2023. Fan groups including Proud Lilywhites and Spurs Reach have expressed discomfort with the hire, creating an atmosphere of friction before a ball has even been kicked.

De Zerbi has no time to ease into the role, with Spurs having failed to register a single league win so far in 2026. The upcoming fixture against Sunderland serves as a high-stakes debut, and the lack of a relegation release clause in his long-term contract suggests the board is betting the house on his ability to navigate this crisis. However, without Sarr and several other stars, that task has become significantly harder.

The Supporters' Trust released an extensive statement outlining their opposition to the Italian's hiring, noting the conflict between his past remarks and the club's supposed identity. They stated: "While we recognise the limited pool of managers with recent Premier League experience, and the need to act with urgency as Spurs face the prospect of relegation, this appointment raises serious and far-reaching concerns, and many fans have been in touch with us to urge us to communicate the strength of feeling. De Zerbi’s comments about Mason 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."

The controversy stems from De Zerbi’s time at Marseille, where he defended Greenwood as a "good person" despite the player's previous legal history. Greenwood was charged in 2022 with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The Crown Prosecution Service dropped the case in February 2023 after the withdrawal of key witnesses. Greenwood had denied the charges.

Highlighting the impact of De Zerbi's arrival on club culture, the Trust added: "We believe these statements, left unchecked, will create a divide among supporters at a time when we all need to be pulling together to back the team. Fans are rallying behind the ‘All Together, Always’ initiative, and this appointment places heavy strain on that unity. If those remarks reflect his genuine views, they cast a troubling shadow over the values of the club we love.

"With this appointment, communications from the club and from Mr De Zerbi must clearly and unequivocally reaffirm these values. Furthermore, those words must be backed by meaningful action, including visible and sustained support for women’s charities and organisations working to combat violence against women."