{
  "id": 173887,
  "title": "'Shark' De Zerbi hopes to drag Spurs up from the depths",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/shark-de-zerbi-hopes-to-drag-spurs-up-from-the-depths",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-05T11:00:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC Sport Football",
    "slug": "bbc-sport-football",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/crrv2dvgppjo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Four months after a turbulent 2025-26 campaign, Roberto de Zerbi believes he can help Tottenham drag themselves up from the depths. Following a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland last season, De Zerbi confronted his players, asking if they had passed away. The dressing room scenes were grim, with players lying on their backs and some crying. Now, at Spurs' Sydney hotel, the atmosphere is markedly different. Players are laughing, smiling, and even enjoying private barista-made coffees. Club-record signings Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, Jan Paul van Hecke, Andrew Robertson, and Martin Dubravka have integrated into the squad, with the aim of returning to the upper echelons of English football. Despite the financial strain, De Zerbi insists he would have continued managing in the Championship if needed, showing his commitment to the club's Plan A.",
  "summary": "Through his self-confessed love of the transfer window, Tottenham boss Roberto de Zerbi hopes he can guide his club back up the Premier League table.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport",
        "title": "Transfer 'shark' De Zerbi hopes to drag Spurs up from depths",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/transfer-shark-de-zerbi-hopes-to-drag-spurs-up-from-depths",
        "published": "2026-08-05T11:00:55.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}