Roberto De Zerbi: “My work is to help the players to show their qualities.”
Sun 05 April 2026, 13:00|
Tottenham Hotspur
Roberto De Zerbi has given us a glance into his footballing philosophy – but insists now is the time to concentrate on mentality and winning games with his first game as Head Coach a week away.
Indeed, Roberto spoke about the importance of ‘reaching the best mentality’ as we prepare for our trip to Sunderland’s Stadium of Light in the Premier League on Sunday week, 12 April (2pm UK). That’s the first of seven matches remaining as the players focus on climbing the table.
“It's not the right moment to speak about my philosophy for football,” Roberto told us in his first interview last week. “I’m here now at the end of the season because we have to win the games.
“In football, the style of play, the tactical disposition are important. There is a mentality and I would like to help the players to reach the best mentality we can show. I signed five years of contract because, for me, it's a big challenge and I will be the coach of Tottenham next season, no matter what.
Roberto De Zerbi | The story so far
“I love keeping the ball, I love possession, I love great chances to score, but at the same time, I love 11 defenders when we have not the ball, because in this time of football, we have to attack with 11 players, with the goalkeeper as well, and we have to defend with 11 players when the ball is not for us.
“In this moment, we have no time to work too much on more principles, but we have to know what we have to do on the pitch. We have to have a good organisation, with the ball, without the ball. We have to consider the qualities of the players. We are lucky - I am lucky - because I have big players with big talent and my work is to help the players to show their qualities.”
