Roberto De Zerbi has moved to calm growing unease around Tottenham Hotspur after a 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle United left the club bottom of the Premier League table with two games played and two lost.
Goals from Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa inside a decisive 10-minute window in the second half condemned Spurs to their latest disappointing result at their own stadium, with sections of the home support departing before the final whistle. It continues a troubling pattern for the club, who have managed only three home league victories in their last 23 matches at the ground.
The defeat follows a 3-0 opening-day loss at Brentford, meaning Tottenham have failed to score in either of their first two league fixtures and sit last in the 20-team division. The results have raised eyebrows given the scale of investment made by the club over the summer, with more than £300m committed to incoming signings.
Among the arrivals were midfielders Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, who joined from West Ham and Newcastle respectively, along with defender Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton and winger Savio from Manchester City, though the latter missed the Newcastle game due to muscle fatigue. Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson and goalkeeper Martin Dubravka arrived on free transfers, while striker Omar Marmoush made his first appearance for the club following a loan move from Manchester City that is set to become a permanent £60m deal next summer.
Despite the pressure mounting after two defeats to open the campaign, De Zerbi struck a defiant tone, arguing his side did not deserve to lose against Newcastle. "Disappointed for the result because until the first goal we conceded, we played better than Newcastle," he said. "We are disappointed for the result and for our fans. We are working to be a great team. When we become a team, we can change the story of the last two seasons for Tottenham."
The Italian coach, who took charge at the end of March and guided Spurs to survival last season with 11 points from seven matches, acknowledged defensive shortcomings but rejected any suggestion of crisis. "We can improve in the defensive phases but today was an unfair result," he said. "Forget the result. I am not angry, we are working well and were unlucky today with the result. There is no panic. I know where we are going and what the plan is. I'm sorry for the fans for the result. We have to improve. We have to work hard on the pitch and find the connection between the players."
Speaking further on the club's transformation, De Zerbi cautioned against expecting instant results given the scale of squad turnover. "We have to improve and to change two seasons like the last two is impossible in 10 days and with people in the transfer market," he explained. "We have to work hard on the pitch and find the connection with the players because last season before the end of the season we were in the Championship and we stayed up together. Now we have to keep calm and focus on improvement. We have a great squad and great players."
Former Tottenham goalkeeper Joe Hart was less convinced, pointing to the clarity of direction shown by Newcastle under new manager Matthias Jaissle in contrast to Spurs. "The players are on board with it and they are flying," Hart said of Newcastle, adding that Tottenham's issues predate this season and cannot be dismissed as a simple teething problem. Former England goalkeeper Rob Green echoed those concerns, suggesting Tottenham lacked "invention, creation, goals" and warned that patience among supporters could wear thin quickly.
With the transfer window closing on Tuesday, De Zerbi confirmed he was still hoping to bring in one more player in a specific position, while also addressing exit links involving Kevin Danso, Pape Matar Sarr and Richarlison. "I have very good relationships but if they want to leave, they have to bring the solution, the economic solution, to the club, and they can go," he said.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport and The Independent.