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De Zerbi appointment faces backlash after three Tottenham supporters’ groups release statements

The appointment of Roberto De Zerbi faces backlash after three Tottenham supporters’ groups release statements.

He’s the unanimous choice of the Tottenham board and the owners of the club, convinced that he has the necessary credentials to make an instant impact, and has been offered a five-year deal.

Kaveh Solhekol saying De Zerbi is aware of the fact that it’s a massive responsibility that he’s taking on uh to keep Spurs in the Premier League and crucially, he is up for the challenge and knows what he’s letting himself in for.

When speculation first emerged that De Zerbi was tipped to take the Tottenham job, fan groups have launched a ‘No to Roberto De Zerbi campaign’, relating to his comments on Mason Greenwood, who was arrested on suspicion of rape, assault, and coercive and controlling behaviour, but the Crown Prosecution Service dropped the charges.

When Greenwood moved to Marseille, De Zerbi said that he was ‘good guy’ but had paid a ‘heavy price’ and that he ‘knew a totally different person than the one who was described’.

“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. But if he comes here, you have to know that I treat all my players like my sons. I can tell them off in private, but I would never attack them in public.”

Back in November, De Zerbi says he was “saddened” by how Greenwood has been portrayed in England, adding: “He’s a good guy, he paid a heavy price for what happened, a very heavy price,” he added. “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. It saddens me what happened in his life, because I know a totally different person than the one who was described in England.”

These comments haven’t been forgotten, with Women of the Lane, supporters group for women and non-binary Spurs fans, saying in a statement: “Clubs signal their values through the decisions they make.

“Who they appoint matters. The manager sets the tone, every day, for what is expected, what is tolerated, and how people are treated. At a time when Spurs needs to rebuild, that culture matters as much as anything on the pitch.

“For many in our community, this is difficult to reconcile with the club’s stated commitments to respect, safety and inclusion. This is not an appointment Tottenham Hotspur should make. It introduces unnecessary cultural risk without a clear, proven track record to justify it.”

Proud Lilywhites, Spurs’ official LGBTQ+ fans’ group, said:

We’ve seen the reports linking Roberto De Zerbi with the Tottenham job, and honestly, it doesn’t sit right.

As Proud Lilywhites, we care deeply about this club, not just what happens on the pitch, but what Tottenham stands for off it. This isn’t just about results or style of football. It’s about values, identity, and the kind of people we choose to represent us.

Football doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Clubs set standards, whether they intend to or not, and those standards shape how people feel, who feels welcome, and what behaviour is seen as acceptable.
Spurs is at a point where it needs to rebuild, not just results but culture. The environment around the team, at the training ground and beyond, has to be intentional and consistent. It has to reflect the values the club says it stands for.

The manager plays a huge role in that. They set the tone every day through what they say, what they overlook, and what they defend. It all adds up. For many of us, this isn’t something we can separate from football, it is part of what it means to support the club. We all want Spurs to move forward, but how we do that matters.

When someone in that position publicly defends a player like Mason Greenwood, and frames it in a way that downplays the seriousness of what happened, it matters, not just in isolation but in what it signals.
We are proud of the progress that’s been made in making football more inclusive and welcoming. That progress matters, and it cannot be compromised or treated as secondary.

We are not asking for perfection. We are aking for accountability, transparency, and leadership that reflects the values this club claims to stand for.

All together, always. That has to mean something.

No to De Zerbi.

Spurs Reach, Tottenham’s official race, ethnicity and cultural heritage fans’ group, said:

Spurs REACH is aware of reports linking Roberto De Zerbi with the managerial role at Tottenham Hotspur and wishes to express the concerns shared by many supporters.

As a fan-led organisation that promotes inclusion and belonging, we believe the Club must reflect values beyond football. Leadership choices shape culture, influence behaviour and determine who feels welcome within the game.

Comments previously attributed to Roberto De Zerbi, including public remarks defending and contextualising Mason Greenwood following serious allegations have been widely criticised for appearing to minimise the gravity of violence against women. Regardless of intent, framing of this nature risks normalising harmful attitudes, diminishing the experiences of survivors, and sending a deeply concerning message about what is tolerated within the game.

This matters to:

* Supporters, particularly women and survivors of abuse

* Players, who rely on strong and responsible leadership

* Staff, who deserve a safe and respectful working environment

Tottenham Hotspur has positioned itself as a club that stands for inclusion, respect and accountability.

Any decision must align with those principles.

We all want the Club to progress but it must do so in a way that reflects its values.

No to De Zerbi.

THFC Flags also said: “Tottenham Hotspur claims to be a club that prides itself on being inclusive, supportive and safe.

“A progressive club that believes in the rights of every single fan to enjoy the sport we love and won’t stand for any form of bigotry, oppression or abuse.

“As a group committed to promoting and amplifying this culture, in the belief this will create the best environment and atmosphere to enjoy football, we’re extremely disappointed and dismayed by the publicised pursuit of Roberto De Zerbi.

“De Zerbi has publicly backed and supported an alleged sexual abuser and has a reputation for, with video evidence to support it, bullying behaviour – especially towards younger players.

“Even if he came with the track record and proven ability to rectify the dire situation the club is currently in (which he does not), De Zerbi is not the kind of person we want associated with our club or representing us. No to De Zerbi”

Here’s the social media reaction as the De Zerbi appointment faces backlash after three Tottenham supporters’ groups release statements…

@StuJ87: The only time I’ll get behind him is to give him the final shove out the door. Rancid appointment. Well done to @SpursOfficial for being so utterly clueless, and completely detached from their fanbase.

@creativeskg:
@SpursOfficial why are you being so idiotic!? The best solution is so easy!
– Get in Spurs connected ex coach/players until end of the season.
– Recruit high quality DOF.
– Bring Poch back.
– Sack Lange and Vinai.
– Reshape squad in the summer.
It’s really not that hard! 🤦‍♂️😡

@Z_PearsonTHFC: Absolutely perfectly put. 👏👏👏🤍

@HotspurLane: No to De Zerbi! Yes he’s a decent manager, but absolutely not someone I want to manage this club. As well as the reasons stated here, it blows my mind how some #THFC fans think he is a good fit for us. He’s literally had disagreements with the owners of every club he’s been at… 🫣😅 I don’t want him now, and I don’t want him in the summer! ❌🇮🇹

@pibbleTHFC: Ignore the losers replying to this. I’m glad and proud of you and the other fan groups for speaking up. #NoToDeZerbi

@thfchans: Totally agree, De Zerbi’s comments about Mason Greenwood makes me say a hard no to him.

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