Brighton CEO and vice-chairman Paul Barber has revealed that head coach Roberto De Zerbi had long-standing ties with the North London club before taking charge of Tottenham; the Italian is now fighting for survival points in the closing stages of the Premier League, and the tide appears to be turning.
From the Seagulls to Spurs: seeds sown long ago
Barber brought De Zerbi to Brighton in 2022, and the pair worked together for more than a year and a half; he had previously served as general manager at Tottenham. Barber said on a podcast that the two had talked about Spurs while working together at Brighton — De Zerbi had looked to the club as a reference point during his formative years, valuing its attacking ethos, the tradition that "the game is about glory," and the football philosophy passed down from Bill Nicholson. Barber believes De Zerbi understands Tottenham's scale, fan expectations and stylistic identity, and that this season's aim is not merely survival but also aligning with the club's long-term image.
Relegation battle and recent form
De Zerbi lost his first game in charge away to Sunderland, then led the team to three unbeaten matches, with back-to-back wins in the last two; Spurs have temporarily climbed out of the relegation zone. With three league games left, a home win over Leeds on Monday night would open a four-point gap over 18th-placed West Ham — and for a Spurs side with only two home Premier League wins this season, it could also be a third home league victory. An injury crisis is still sapping creativity up front, but confidence in the dressing room is rising, with several players publicly praising De Zerbi for rebuilding belief.
Site data shows Spurs lost 1-2 in matchweek 37 and won 1-0 at home in matchweek 38; West Ham won 3-0 in the same closing round, while Brighton lost 0-3. The fight near the relegation line remains tight, and every point De Zerbi picks up must be weighed against goal difference and rivals' results.
Barber: he was always suited to North London
Barber described De Zerbi as "an outstanding coach, a great person, with a strong personality," and predicted fans would embrace his touchline manner. Ironically, De Zerbi's only home league game so far at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium came against his former club Brighton; the roar from the stands that night showed North London is willing to give the 46-year-old head coach time.
From a tactical standpoint, De Zerbi’s possession-and-pressing setup fits Tottenham’s historical identity; the problem is the points hole dug mid-season and a run-in with no room for error. Monday against Leeds has six-pointer overtones—Leeds are fighting for survival too, and another home defeat could see West Ham, Brighton and others instantly reshape the table.
The next three games will decide whether De Zerbi can turn his “childhood Spurs attachment” into a survival success story; Barber’s judgment back then is now being tested by the Premier League’s most brutal season.
