‘Sorry’ De Zerbi won’t panic after Spurs’ miserable start

Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi apologized for his team's poor start to the 2024-25 Premier League season after they suffered a 2-0 defeat against Newcastle. The match, played on Saturday, saw De Zerbi's side concede twice in the second half, extending their worst start to a season in 52 years. The loss followed a significant squad overhaul by the manager, which cost Tottenham over £300 million in close-season spending as he sought to rebuild a team that narrowly avoided relegation last season.

De Zerbi conceded that his team's form had disappointed both himself and his supporters. In the aftermath of the loss, he expressed his regret over the result, stating, "I'm sorry for the fans for the result." He reiterated that he won't panic and reiterated his confidence in the team's ability to improve. "There is no panic. I know where we are going and what the plan is," he said.

De Zerbi is disappointed for the result, adding, "We have to improve. We have to work hard on the pitch and find the connection between the players."

The manager has already signed eight players since the end of last season and hopes to make one more major signing before the transfer window closes. Tottenham's defensive play was a particular area of concern for De Zerbi, who attributed their loss to poor ball possession and ineffective defending. "We lost ball possession in the first half because we didn't defend in the right way, the distance between the defenders and attackers was too big," he explained.

However, he noted that while they created many chances to score, a critical decision in the final minutes of the match could have altered the outcome.

Despite the current struggles, De Zerbi remains optimistic about the team's prospects. He acknowledged that Tottenham's recent failures, including their failure to win the English title in over 60 years or lift the FA Cup since 1991, are significant challenges. Yet, he insisted that the team is working towards becoming a great side. "At the end we are disappointed for the result and our fans. We are working to be a great team," De Zerbi concluded.