Roberto de Zerbi has called on Tottenham to overcome internal doubts as they fight relegation from the Premier League. After their first win of 2026, Spurs are still in the relegation zone, trailing West Ham by two points with four matches left.
Key points
Roberto de Zerbi is the manager of Tottenham.
Tottenham is currently in the relegation zone.
Spurs won their first league match of 2026 against Wolves.
They are two points behind West Ham with four games remaining.
Upcoming matches include Aston Villa, Leeds United, Chelsea, and Everton.
Mentioned in this story
Roberto de Zerbi
TottenhamWest HamAston VillaLeeds United
Tottenham boss Roberto de Zerbi reacts on the touchline during a Premier League match against Wolves at Molineux
Roberto de Zerbi managed Brighton and Marseille before joining Tottenham [Getty Images]
Manager Roberto de Zerbi has urged Tottenham to "silence the voice inside of us" as the club battle to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
Despite posting their first league win of 2026 against bottom side Wolves last weekend, Spurs remain in the relegation zone and are two points behind 17th-placed West Ham with four games remaining.
They take on fifth-placed Aston Villa on Sunday before facing Leeds United, Chelsea and Everton as they bid to avoid their first relegation since 1977.
Speaking before the trip to Villa Park, De Zerbi delivered an impassioned monologue at the start of his news conference, insisting negativity has become Tottenham's biggest opponent during their dismal run of form.
"The most important challenge now is to silence the voice inside of us, inside of the players, inside the staff and the fans," said De Zerbi, who became Spurs' third boss of the season in March.
Q&A
What did Roberto de Zerbi say about Tottenham's relegation battle?
Roberto de Zerbi urged Tottenham to 'silence the voice inside of us' as they struggle to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
How many points behind West Ham is Tottenham in the relegation zone?
Tottenham is two points behind 17th-placed West Ham in the relegation zone.
Who are Tottenham's upcoming opponents in their relegation fight?
Tottenham will face Aston Villa, Leeds United, Chelsea, and Everton in their remaining matches.
When was the last time Tottenham was relegated from the Premier League?
Tottenham last faced relegation in 1977.
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"This voice produces negative thoughts and the voice says we are unlucky, we have too many injuries. We lost Xavi Simons and he was in the last two games one of the most important players for us.
"Our medical staff is not good enough, the pitch of the stadium is not good, our training pitch is not good. Winning two or three games in a row is impossible because we hadn't won a game in 2026. I think it's all negative things and it's rubbish.
"It's like we're all crying and relegated. No, not yet. We have to die on the pitch.
"We have to play, we have to fight, we have two points less than West Ham. They have to play a difficult game like us.
"It's not the best moment for us, a tough moment, but the losers cry, they think negative and I don't want people close to me crying or to think a different way than me."
Tottenham Hotspur's James Maddison warming up before the Premier League match at Wolverhampton Wanderers
James Maddison sustained an ACL injury during a pre-season friendly against Newcastle in South Korea [Getty Images]
Netherlands attacking midfielder Simons has been ruled out for the rest of the season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) against Wolves - and joined a lengthy Spurs injury list.
"I want to keep the focus on ourselves and the quality of my players," De Zerbi said.
"We go to play against one of the best teams in this moment Premier League, but if Tottenham win at Villa Park it's not a miracle. Maybe we lose but we have the quality to win this game. It's not a miracle. We have to be positive.
"If Xavi and Solanke are injured we can play with [Randal] Kolo Muani, [Mathys] Tel, Richarlison... they are different but very good players. All these things - I don't have too much time to hear these things.
"We are good enough to win the games and to stay up and then we will see because it's the unique way. The way I know is to work hard, give my best, to trust in my idea of the players, their confidence and to be realistic."
However, one player close to returning from a long-term injury is James Maddison.
The England playmaker has not featured this season because of an ACL injury but was named on the bench against both Brighton and Wolves.
"I would like to play with Maddison because he is a special player but we have to consider physical condition, a lot of things. But I think he can be important in the next three games," De Zerbi said.