News Focus
- James Maddison claims Roberto De Zerbi rescued Tottenham Hotspur from relegation.
- Spurs appointed De Zerbi in March when they sat 17th in the Premier League table.
- The Italian boss won three of his final five matches to secure safety by two points.
- Maddison missed most of the 2025-26 season through injury but praised the manager’s impact.
James Maddison believes Tottenham Hotspur would have faced relegation to the Championship without Roberto De Zerbi’s arrival. The England midfielder praised the Italian coach for transforming the club’s fortunes during the closing weeks of the campaign.
De Zerbi took charge at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at the end of March. He replaced Igor Tudor, who had left the club. At that point, Spurs occupied 17th position in the Premier League standings with only seven fixtures remaining.
The former Brighton manager endured a difficult start, failing to win his opening two matches in charge. However, he guided the team to three victories in their final five games. This run proved crucial as the North London club avoided the drop by just two points on the season’s final day.
Maddison, who spent the majority of the 2025-26 season recovering from a knee injury, highlighted De Zerbi’s influence on the squad’s mentality. He told Sky Sports that the manager brought passion and energy to the training ground every day.
“Since he arrived, he has been outstanding,” Maddison said. “Without his appointment, we seriously risked going down. He changed our mindset completely.”
The attacking midfielder noted that while the team’s quality needed improvement, the players always possessed the right attitude. He credited De Zerbi with unlocking their potential during a critical period.
Several other Tottenham players have echoed Maddison’s comments about De Zerbi’s passionate approach. The manager’s methods helped galvanise a squad that had struggled under previous leadership.
Tottenham finished the campaign outside the bottom three, securing their place in the top flight for another season. De Zerbi’s impact has drawn praise from supporters and pundits across English football.