Tottenham Supporters’ Trust says it cannot support De Zerbi appointment

Tottenham’s fan groups are divided over the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi as manager, with the Supporters’ Trust expressing strong reservations. The Italian coach’s backing of Mason Greenwood has sparked backlash, particularly after the 24-year-old’s controversial transfer to Marseille. The decision to sign Greenwood, who left Manchester United in July 2024, came just 19 days after De Zerbi took charge of the Ligue 1 side.

De Zerbi has defended Greenwood, stating the striker “paid in a strong way” after charges, including attempted rape and assault, were dropped in February 2023. The former Brighton and Marseille manager is set to replace Igor Tudor, but his appointment faces resistance from Spurs fans. The Trust, after an emergency meeting, has reached out to the club to formally oppose the move.

De Zerbi’s Comments

“I don’t want to get involved in anyone’s private life. I don’t even get into the private lives of my children, because I want to give everyone their freedom,” De Zerbi said in November. “All I can see is that Mason seems a good lad, he paid in a strong way for what happened. He has probably here found the right environment for him, which gave him affection, and held out its hand to him.”

The manager’s remarks, made before a Champions League game against Newcastle, have angered fans. Critics argue he downplayed the allegations and portrayed Greenwood as a victim. Marseille, however, moved forward with the signing, and the player has since scored 47 goals in 74 appearances across all competitions, finishing as Ligue 1’s joint top scorer with Ousmane Dembele.

Previous Opposition

This isn’t the first time Spurs have faced backlash over a managerial choice. In June 2021, after Jose Mourinho’s departure, the club was linked with Gennaro Gattuso. Fans took issue with his past comments on same-sex marriage and women in football, leading to a #NoToGattuso hashtag trending on social media. The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust raised concerns with the club, prompting them to withdraw support for the Italian.

Similar tensions are now emerging with De Zerbi. Trust secretary Tristan Foot told BBC Sport the group had reviewed supporters’ feedback and informed the club of its stance. “We had an emergency meeting last night,” Foot explained. “That resulted in us writing to the chief executive and echoing those concerns, inviting them to reflect on the club’s values.”

Women of the Lane, Proud Lillywhites, and SpursREACH have joined the criticism, highlighting De Zerbi’s potential conflict with the club’s principles. With seven games left to secure their Premier League survival, Spurs fans are questioning whether the new manager aligns with their expectations.