Roberto De Zerbi Interview: Why He Picked Spurs, Improving Their Mentality, and Why Pep is the Greatest

0:10Robbie Earle:Hello and welcome to the Two Robbies podcast, your destination for in-depth discussion and analysis of the Premier League. I'm Robbie Mustoe, he's Robbie Earle and today we have a very special guest. We're joined by Tottenham Hotspur's new head coach Roberto De Zerbi. Here's our conversation in full. Roberto, thank you for joining us ahead of your first match in charge at Spurs. First off, what attracted you most to the job at Tottenham Hotspur, particularly given the difficult circumstances right now? Tottenham, I think I consider Tottenham one of the most important clubs in Premier League. And Premier League is the best league in the world.

0:58The players of Tottenham, I consider they are very good players. Normally the moment is very tough for us, but for me it was an opportunity, a big opportunity. It depends on which angle you look at the situation. But for me, from my perspective, to become a coach of Tottenham was a big opportunity. It's a big opportunity.

1:34Robbie Mustoe:Roberto, when you looked at the club's performances before you took the job, what did you feel was more important? Is it the tactics in the style of play or is it more about the culture and the team spirit in the dressing room? What's more important to you to address? In this moment? Yeah. But in this moment the mental part is crucial. I think there are just seven games and we have no time enough to give too much. and I don't want to give too many new instructions. This team changed three coaches in this season and I think they have to build a new mentality. They have to consider a big opportunity these seven games.

2:33I want to work in Premier League next season.

2:40And I think we have the qualities enough to go out from this moment. But for sure, the mental aspect is the most important.

2:52Robbie Earle:That being said, Roberto, you have had training sessions. What are some of the key areas you've been working with the team just in these first few days in terms of on-the-field coaching? For sure, I'm working on the organization with the ball, without the ball. But I repeat, I'm not giving too many instructions, two, three principles, simple principles, because I want to give something of myself otherwise I could stay at home but the confidence in themselves they have not to forget who they are. Anyway, I know we didn't win too many games in 2025. We haven't won any game in 2026 so far. But anyway, one game can become crucial.

4:02The focus is to take one game at a time. and now the focus is Sunderland. Because if we go to win a game, we can see everything from different perspectives.

4:19Robbie Mustoe:Roberto, when you were at Brighton, you played what we call attractive and progressive style of football. Now in this emergency situation with Tottenham, will you be coaching differently in these seven games than you will hopefully when you stay up next season. So is it a different Roberto Deserbi coaching now than it will be next season? Totally different. The way of my work now is totally different, but I can't lose myself because I always work bringing myself, my character, my passion, my vision of football. And then there is another important part, the tactical part, the build-up, the defensive phase.

5:17Everything is important, but one part is crucial. And the crucial part is still the mental part. I would like to be able to help our players just to show their qualities, because if they show their qualities, I think it can be enough.

5:41Robbie Earle:Interesting you say that, Roberto, because I want to talk to you about two players in terms of their mentality and their very emotional players. I'll start with Richarlison. What do you plan or how do you plan to get the best out of your top scorer? Yeah, Richarlison can play in different positions. He's a good guy. He's a clean guy. He's an honest guy. I like him as a player, as a mentality, as an attitude.

6:16in the same position we can play with different players. But I think to achieve our target, we need Richarlison in the best way.

6:36Robbie Earle:The other player, Christian Romero, very important leader for you, tough, aggressive defender. He's had some issues the last few weeks. Where is his mentality at? And have you had conversations with him? Yeah, a lot of conversation with him. But with all players, I love to know the feeling of the players, not just in Tottenham, everywhere. I have big respect. I was a player. I can't forget I was a player. and my referent is the player. He's not a manager of the club, not a journalist. My referent is still a player and I have to know everything of them. I spoke with Christian. I think UTI is crucial for us, but crucial for Tottenham club.

7:36The captain is the most important player in our squad. Like Richarlison, to achieve our goal, we need the best of Romero.

7:56Robbie Mustoe:Roberto, you've managed in Italy, Ukraine, obviously England and France now. How has coaching in those different leagues been different for you? And what's special about the Premier League? First of all, I have to say thank you to all the countries I've been in.

8:20Because I've felt very well in every country. And I've learned in every country I've been in. All leagues are different. Premier League is special. In Premier League, the atmosphere is special. The level of the players is higher. The level of the structure is top. The stadium, the training center. but if you love football you can work in football everywhere and you can enjoy and you can improve everywhere

9:05Robbie Earle:Roberto, Pep Guardiola spoke very highly of you recently what's your relationship like with him and how has he influenced your coaching career or other coaches that have been important to you I think he was important for every one of us who start to be a coach or to think as a coach 15 years ago Pep I think is the best coach in all time he changed it two, three times football because football is changing always and they have a big respect for him.

9:55Robbie Mustoe:Roberto, finally, just from your point of view for Spurs fans, what can they expect from a Roberto Deserbi Spurs team who go to the Stadium of Light at Sunderland this weekend? In this moment, I think the players, the coaches, the people who work inside of Tottenham club have to think, have to keep their focus to give something more and to deserve their support, to deserve the support of the fans. The fans have helped the players every time, every game. I know what they did in the last game before the Tottenham game. But now is different the moment. Now is different moment. We have to give something more for them and because they deserve it and we want to play Premier League in the next season again.

11:09Robbie Earle:Roberto, thanks so much for joining us Good luck on Sunday and good luck for the rest of the season Thank you very much

11:15Robbie Mustoe:So what a fascinating insight into the size and the nature of the job for the new Tottenham Hotspur head coach We'll just have to wait and see if he can affect his team in a positive way in the seven huge games they've got left this season And don't forget, we'll be back on Sunday to review Spurs and all the other big stories in the Premier League and look out for more Two Robbies special podcasts coming up between now and the end of the season. But for today, I'm Earl, he's Musty. Together with the Two Robbies, thanks for watching and listening. Be safe, stay healthy, it's a good night from me.

11:48Robbie Earle:And it's a good night from him. Good night.