Supporters’ associations of Tottenham Hotspur have called on the club to abandon plans to appoint Roberto De Zerbi as the new manager, arguing that the move would contradict Tottenham’s principles of “respect, safety and inclusion”.
According to reports, Spurs are in advanced discussions with the Italian coach following Igor Tudor’s departure, as the club battles to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
Initially, De Zerbi had intended to wait until the summer before deciding on his next role, but it now appears increasingly probable that he will take charge at Tottenham immediately in a bid to guide the club to safety.
However, at least three fan organisations have urged the north London side to explore other options, citing De Zerbi’s previous association with former Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood as a major concern.
In October 2022, Greenwood faced charges of attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault causing actual bodily harm.
Those charges were later dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service, which cited the “withdrawal of key witnesses” and the emergence of new evidence as reasons for discontinuing the case.
After spending a season on loan at Getafe from Manchester United, Greenwood secured a five-year contract with Marseille, where he played under De Zerbi until the manager left the French club by mutual consent in February this year.
In November last year, De Zerbi publicly described Greenwood as a “good guy” who had paid a “heavy price”, adding: “It saddens me what happened in his life, because I know a totally different person than the one who was described.”
These remarks have prompted strong opposition from Tottenham fan groups Proud Lilywhites, Women of the Lane, and Spurs Reach, all of whom have voiced their disapproval of De Zerbi’s possible appointment.
Women of the Lane issued a statement through their official social media channels, saying that it was “difficult to reconcile” the idea of the Italian taking charge of their club.
The group’s statement read: “There is increasing speculation linking Spurs with Roberto De Zerbi. We want to make clear how this is being received by many women and allies in our community.
“For many within our community, this is difficult to reconcile with the club’s stated commitments to respect, safety and inclusion.
“This is not an appointment Tottenham Hotspur should make. It introduces unnecessary cultural risk without a clear or proven track record to justify it.
“The choices a club makes reflect its values. Appointments matter. The manager sets the tone every day for what is expected, tolerated, and how people are treated.
“At a time when Spurs need to rebuild, that culture is as vital as anything happening on the pitch.
“De Zerbi has publicly defended Mason Greenwood in a manner that downplays the seriousness of male violence against women and girls. That raises significant concerns about judgement and leadership.”
Meanwhile, the LGBTQI+ supporters’ group Proud Lilywhites told the Independent: “We’ve seen the reports linking Roberto De Zerbi with the Tottenham job, and honestly, it doesn’t sit right with us.
“As Proud Lilywhites, we care deeply about this club—not only about what happens on the pitch but also about what Tottenham stands for off it. This isn’t just about results or style of football. It’s about values, identity, and the kind of people we choose to represent us.”
Spurs Reach also released a statement of their own, saying: “We all want the club to progress, but it must do so in a way that reflects its values. No to De Zerbi.”
