Roberto De Zerbi’s tenure as Tottenham Hotspur head coach began with a whimper as a deflected strike condemned his side to a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland. The result extends Spurs' miserable winless run in the Premier League to 105 days, leaving the north London club deep in a relegation scrap. After the match, the Italian offered a puzzling assessment of his squad, suggesting they require emotional support more than tactical instruction.

Tottenham defender Cristian Romero was forced from the field in tears following a sickening collision with team-mate Antonin Kinsky during Sunday's Premier League clash with Sunderland. The injury compounded a miserable afternoon for Spurs, who suffered a 1-0 defeat at the Stadium of Light in Roberto De Zerbi’s first game at the helm.

If you have to appoint three different permanent managers in the same season, it's probably a sign that it hasn't gone to plan. In the case of Tottenham Hotspur, the 2025 Europa League winners, this campaign could hardly have gone any worse. The club's desire to become a more streetwise outfit under Thomas Frank saw a horribly assembled squad pickpocketed and bamboozled at every turn.

Roberto De Zerbi has officially begun his rescue mission at Tottenham, making the surprising admission that he wants his new squad to replicate the football they played under former manager Ange Postecoglou. The Italian tactician, who has signed a five-year deal at the North London club, is tasked with dragging Spurs out of an unlikely relegation scrap.

Tottenham Hotspur have officially dropped into the Premier League relegation zone following West Ham’s dominant victory over Wolves on Friday night. The result leaves the north London club facing the very real prospect of a catastrophic exit from the top flight just one year after tasting European glory.