Roberto De Zerbi called on Tottenham Hotspur to embrace its attacking instincts as ‌he battles to save the club from its first relegation since ​1977, declaring on Friday that the ‘DNA’ of the club is to ⁠attack and score goals.

Having been appointed as Spurs’ third manager of the season, the former Brighton & Hove Albion boss has seven games to steer the North London side to safety, and he acknowledged the urgency of his task.

Tottenham has not won a Premier League game in 2026, while it has scored only ‌40 league goals this season to register a negative goal difference (-10).

“I don’t ‌have ⁠time for principles or build-up, I want to give organisation with ⁠the ball and without the ball,” De Zerbi told reporters ahead of his first game in charge, away at Sunderland on Sunday.

“What I want to do and what I want to achieve is ​the character. The right spirit, courage ‌to play and attack. The DNA of this club and squad is to find the goal, to score. In this part, I can be able to transfer my principle, he added.

The Italian manager had vowed to remain in charge next ‌season regardless of results, describing the role as the biggest challenge ​of his career after signing a long-term contract.

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Tottenham plummeted in the standings, first under Thomas Frank and then under interim boss Igor ⁠Tudor, with the club sitting in 17th place – one point above the relegation zone.

“I believe to keep (Spurs) in the Premier League, it has to be clear to ‌everyone, because I want to work in the Premier League. I think (I) deserve to work in the Premier League,” De Zerbi said.

“Anyway, if I sign my contract in April, I have to be ready to stay no matter what in the next season. I want to stay focused on Sunderland and the other six games. But my idea is very clear,” he added.

However, he was dealt a blow when ‌forward Mohammed Kudus suffered a setback in his recovery from a quad injury, with the ​Ghanaian international also in danger of missing out on the World Cup.

“I started with not much luck. Kudus was, in my head, a ⁠crucial player. But we have to look forward anyway. We have a lot of ⁠very good attackers, and we have to help them show their qualities,” De Zerbi said.

“(Randal) Kolo Muani is not playing a great season ‌, but he is a good player. Mathys Tel, I wanted him in (Olympique de) Marseille. Xavi Simons is a big talent. Richarlison and (Dominic) Solanke, you know ​better than me. We have to put them in the best condition,” he concluded.

Published on Apr 10, 2026