Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi hasn’t exactly been making too many friends and has now attracted criticism from France.
After Spurs’ 0-0 draw against Everton, the Italian made sarcastic comments about Serie A. He insisted that two goalless draws would be appreciated in Italy and Sport Witness covered how this didn’t go down well in his home country.
Il Messaggero published an article that mocked De Zerbi in return, challenging him to try and win football matches.
Criticism for the Tottenham boss hasn’t ended and he is facing a pile-on even from France.
Manager accused of robbery
Christophe Dugarry, who saw De Zerbi from close by at Marseille, spoke to RMC about the Italian and he made his views clear about him.
He believes the former Sassuolo manager has pulled off a heist at Tottenham by signing a five-year deal.
“He signed for five years, the heist he pulls off, without the balaclava. It’s insane! And now they pay you every week in England so you can go. What he’s doing is magnificent. He’s proven so much in football that he’s incredible.”
Duggary also doubted if the 47-year-old can really make the cut at the highest level or not.
“I never understood what this man’s true level was. I’m told he did well at Brighton, Sassuolo and I don’t remember where else. For me, he’s not an absolute benchmark for coaching big clubs, he had his chance. For now, he’s struggling to seize it,”
It didn’t end there, as the Frenchman had more harsh criticism and urged someone at Tottenham to stop him.
“I can’t even talk about him as a coach, but when you’re still capable of making statements like that, post-match, pre-match. During the match, I saw him, he went after Mathys Tel on the pitch. The statements he made about this guy and that, he’s completely out of it.”
“It’s astounding to have so little lucidity about what you say. Isn’t there anyone around him who’s going to tell him: ‘Just shut up!’? He’s completely delusional.”
A results business
In football, everything comes down to results. Ruben Amorim saw that at Manchester United, as he had grand ideas but they never quite worked. They’re getting more validation at AC Milan, where he has some more credit in the bank because they’re winning more games.
De Zerbi needs to realise that and be pragmatic in getting some results on board at Tottenham. Granted, that was also the case last season, as he helped them avoid relegation. But the need of the hour demands adaptation.
As Il Messaggero pointed out – he needs results or his ideas will not hold weight.
