Roberto De Zerbi has achieved the primary objective he was brought in to accomplish, guiding Tottenham Hotspur to Premier League safety with a nervy 1-0 victory over Everton on the final day. Yet the relief at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was tinged with the realisation that the club should never have found itself in such a precarious position.
A Season of Struggle
Almost half a century ago, Matthew Engel wrote in this newspaper about Sheffield United topping the Fourth Division being akin to hearing a friend had been appointed head of the prison library—congratulations were in order, but the underlying question remained: what were they doing there in the first place? Similar sentiments echoed at Spurs today. For all the understandable glee and relief, even flirting with relegation is evidence of deep-seated problems.
De Zerbi's record of 11 points from seven games may not be earth-shattering, but it represents a significant improvement on the dire form that preceded his arrival. The injury crisis that has plagued the squad for two consecutive seasons cannot persist indefinitely, and perhaps the brush with disaster will spur decisive action in a way that last season's fourth-bottom finish—mitigated by Europa League glory—did not.
A Glimmer of Hope
It is only four years since Spurs finished above Arsenal for the sixth straight season. A campaign without European football, while financially detrimental, could have a rejuvenating effect. The atmosphere at the stadium on Sunday showcased its potential: the bus arrival drew massive crowds, and the roar at the final whistle was deafening, born of relief and euphoria in equal measure.
Yet the performance itself was far from convincing. For long periods, it seemed implausible that Everton, despite their own struggles, would score. The chaotic injury-time flurry—headers over the bar, Antonin Kinsky's fine save from Tyrique George—appeared more a product of Tottenham's anxiety than any sustained pressure from the visitors.
Contrast with the Title Race
It was hard to reconcile this tentative side with the team that drew 3-3 with Manchester City, a result that had a significant impact on the title race. As in the defeats to Nottingham Forest and Leeds, Spurs started well but grew increasingly scratchy. This time, however, Everton's attack lacked the cutting edge to capitalise, turning what could have been a sponge mallet into something that never truly threatened damage.
Some fans had contemplated avoiding the game altogether, preferring long walks or gardening to the anxiety of watching. But football thrives on emotion, both positive and negative. The duty of a fan is to bear witness, and collective memory is the lifeblood of community. Missing the lowest low would have been as bad as missing the highest high.
De Zerbi's Position
This final day felt different from last year's, when a 4-1 defeat to Brighton was met with a similar reception. Then, Spurs had finished 17th with three fewer points, but relegation was never a genuine threat. The Europa League triumph the previous Wednesday softened the blow and offered hope. That hope proved misplaced, as this season was equally poor in the league without the mitigation of European success.
Now, De Zerbi is firmly in situ. He has completed his first and most important objective. Next season, the tasks will be less well-defined and perhaps harder to achieve. But he has not looked overwhelmed in the way Thomas Frank did within weeks of his appointment. De Zerbi already has a significant achievement to his name, unlike Frank, who replaced a manager who had won the club's first trophy in 17 years.
Looking Ahead
The squad will require reshaping, but the positive vibes at Spurs may be well-founded. What that means in practice is less clear, particularly as the transition from profitability and sustainability regulations to squad cost ratio remains uncertain. At the very least, the relative lack of games should make a European qualifying position a viable goal. Relegation should not be a threat.
But then, it should not have been this season either. Tottenham Hotspur has no business in the prison library.
