Roberto De Zerbi refused to surrender to the tense atmosphere at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium,insisting that a second consecutive Premier League defeat will not push the club back into the nightmares of the past two seasons.
The Italian manager’s comments came following Spurs’ 2–0 loss at home to Newcastle United in North London, with second-half goals scored by Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa in the 61st and 71st minutes.
De Zerbi’s Post-Match Statements
Speaking to Sky Sports, De Zerbi said: “There is no panic. I know where we are going and what plan we are working on.”
He added: “I am disappointed by the result, and I apologize to the fans and the atmosphere around the club. We have to improve, work hard on the pitch, and build chemistry among the players.”
He continued: “After two defeats, some people might think it’s the same story we experienced over the past two seasons, but I don’t doubt for a second that things are different this time.”
He concluded: “I cannot change my mind after just two games. I have immense confidence in the quality of Tottenham’s players and their potential.”
Tottenham’s Difficult Start to the Season
Tottenham sit at the bottom of the Premier League table without a single point after the opening two matchdays, having lost their season opener 3–0 to Brentford before falling at home to Newcastle—conceding five goals without scoring any.
While Spurs recorded an emphatic 5–1 victory in the EFL Cup, that momentum failed to translate into league form despite summer signings Omar Marmoush, Sandro Tonali, and Mateus Fernandes starting against Newcastle.
Tottenham finished the 2024–25 season in 17th place with 38 points before repeating the same 17th-place finish in 2025–26, securing survival on the final matchday just two points clear of the relegation zone.
De Zerbi will search for his first league victory when Tottenham visit Nottingham Forest on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at 5:00 PM Cairo time in Matchday 3 of the Premier League.
