{"id":374993,"date":"2026-03-31T17:25:07","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T17:25:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/374993\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T17:25:07","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T17:25:07","slug":"roberto-de-zerbi-spurs-fans-anger-grows-over-italians-appointment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/374993\/","title":{"rendered":"Roberto de Zerbi: Spurs fans’ anger grows over Italian’s appointment"},"content":{"rendered":"

It is not the first time Tottenham<\/a> have faced major opposition to a managerial appointment.<\/p>\n

In June 2021, following the departure of Jose Mourinho, Spurs were linked with Gennaro Gattuso.<\/p>\n

Some fans on social media referenced controversial comments the former Italy midfielder had previously made on subjects such as same sex marriage, external<\/a>, and women in football<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A #NoToGattuso hashtag began trending on Twitter, and the Tottenham Hotspur<\/a> Supporters’ Trust raised the issue with the club.<\/p>\n

Tottenham<\/a> backed away and said Gattuso was not being considered as a candidate<\/a>.<\/p>\n

There are parallels with De Zerbi.<\/p>\n

Trust secretary Tristan Foot told BBC Sport that it had taken on board complaints from supporters about the Italian and had been in touch with the club.<\/p>\n

“We had an emergency meeting last night,” Foot said. “That resulted in us writing to the chief executive and echoing those concerns and inviting them to reflect on the club’s values.”<\/p>\n

Club sources told BBC Sport that De Zerbi’s comments on Greenwood had been considered as part of the process to appoint him and had formed part of discussions.<\/p>\n

Women of the Lane is one of a number of official Spurs fans’ group to have voiced concerns across social media in recent days.<\/p>\n

It was joined by Proud Lillywhites – the LGBTQI+ Supporters’ Association, and SpursREACH, which promotes the values of fans from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds.<\/p>\n

Speechly, who helped to create Women of the Lane two years ago, said the appointment brought into question the values and integrity of the club.<\/p>\n

“The fact is that he hired him [Greenwood] as a player,” Speechly said.<\/p>\n

“And then continue to publicly back him and support him, sympathise with him.<\/p>\n

“For me, that’s just unforgivable. I think that speaks to the character of De Zerbi.<\/p>\n

“I don’t want him anywhere near my football club.<\/p>\n

“This is about how we feel, this is about values, this is about integrity and, ultimately, it’s about safety. <\/p>\n

“It’s about women feeling that they are safe around other men.”<\/p>\n

Speechly added that it undermines the work done by the club to build relationships with minority groups.<\/p>\n

“Actions speak louder than words,” Speechly added.<\/p>\n

“In terms of my relationship with [the club] it’s massively impacted it.<\/p>\n

“In all honesty I don’t have any intention now of going to the stadium if they do appoint De Zerbi.”<\/p>\n

The Trust issued a statement, external<\/a> after De Zerbi’s appointment, stating his comments were “unnecessary, ill-judged, and deeply offensive to a significant number of supporters”.<\/p>\n

“It is concerning that the club would put us in this position right when the team needs fans the most,” it added.<\/p>\n

“If those remarks reflect his genuine views, they cast a troubling shadow over the values of the club we love.<\/p>\n

“The club must reassert its commitment to the values that fans hold dear – chief among them equality, respect, and integrity.<\/p>\n

“Our preference would have been for a short-term appointment of an individual or individuals who understand the club.”<\/p>\n

Tottenham Hotspur<\/a> have been approached for comment.<\/p>\n