De Zerbi 'not surprised' by reaction to Greenwood comments

Tottenham manager Roberto de Zerbi says he was "not surprised" by the reaction from supporters over comments he made about Mason Greenwood.

De Zerbi's appointment was opposed by some fan groups because of remarks he made about Greenwood, who he signed and managed at Marseille - prompting the Italian to apologise after being named Spurs boss.

Former Manchester United forward Greenwood faced charges of attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in 2022 before they were dropped in February 2023.

Asked about the fan backlash, De Zerbi said: "I wasn't surprised."

Speaking on Friday as he prepares to take Spurs to Sunderland on Sunday (14:00 BST) in his first game in charge, he added: "I was a bit sad and sorry it happened because I'm sorry if somebody took offence.

"I must repeat what I said. This topic is very close to me. I'm very sensitive about this topic because of the person I am and because I have a daughter.

"And so I must repeat what I said the other time. I have always been against - always - any type of violence, especially against women. But not only violence - even just sexist jokes or other sexist behaviours.

"I have a daughter and I'm directly affected by it. I know who I am. I know the type of person I am, so I wasn't annoyed by the questions - I'm just sad about them."

De Zerbi's comments on Greenwood which angered Tottenham fans were made last November before a Champions League game against Newcastle.

"I don't want to get involved in anyone's private life," the former Marseille boss said.

"All I can see is that Mason seems a good lad, he paid in a strong way for what happened. He has probably here found the right environment for him, which gave him affection, and held out its hand to him.

"When I look at him as a person, I feel sad for what happened in his life, without getting into the details. Because the person I know here is very different to the one that has been described, especially in England."

De Zerbi was accused of downplaying the allegations and painting Greenwood as a victim.

The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust told the club it could not support the appointment of De Zerbi while Ali Speechly, co-founder of Women of the Lane, said her group also opposed his hiring.

On the field, 11th-place Sunderland will be De Zerbi's first opponents as Spurs boss after being appointed on 31 March.

He is Tottenham's third manager of the season after Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor - the latter only lasting 44 days and seven matches in the role.

After West Ham beat Wolves on Friday, Tottenham are in the Premier League's relegation zone with seven games left.

"I am proud and happy to be here," the Italian said.

"I'm sure about the level of the players because I was very, very close to bringing many of these players to my former teams in the past.

"I think I am not better than Frank or Tudor because I consider them very good coaches.

"I try to bring my style, my character, my personality and my strengths to achieve our target, which is the most important part now."

Tottenham have not won a domestic league game in 2026 and only two since 26 October 2025. Since 1950, Spurs have only spent one season outside the top flight, which was back in 1977-78.

"For me, it was a big opportunity because Tottenham are a very important club in the Premier League and the Premier League is the best league in the world," said De Zerbi, who previously managed Brighton between 2022 and 2024.

"The message for my staff and players is that we have to deserve the support because the fans are suffering like us. But for the fans, there is just one club. The players can change but for the fans, their club is unique.

"We have to make them happy with the right spirit and the right behaviour on the pitch. Then it's easier to make points."

Tottenham's season has been hampered by injuries to key personnel, with creative forces Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison long-term absentees.

Striker Dominic Solanke was also sidelined for months with an ankle injury while Xavi Simons has also struggled with fitness in his debut season in England.

Mohammed Kudus, who joined from West Ham in the summer, had a setback in his recovery from a thigh injury this week, which may require surgery and means he is unlikely to feature again this season.

"Kudus was in my head a crucial player, especially for the position but we have to look forward," De Zerbi said.

"We have a lot of very good attackers but we have to help them and put them in the very best condition. I know [Randal] Kolo Muani isn't having a great season but he is a good player. I know him, like Mathys Tel, I wanted him when I was in Marseille.

"Simons is a big talent, Richarlison and [Dominic] Solanke you know better than me, so we have to put them in the best condition we can."

The Spurs boss also confirmed goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario will miss the trip to Sunderland after having hernia surgery during the international break.

The 46-year-old said he "would like to stay for a long time" at the north London club.

De Zerbi said: "I don't know how many years. In my plan, the idea is to stay for a long time. I'm not speaking about titles because it's not the right moment now, but to help Tottenham to stay in the Premier League."