Former Tottenham Midfielder Sandro Lauds New Spurs Boss Roberto De Zerbi
Ex-Tottenham star Sandro has declared Roberto De Zerbi the finest manager he has ever worked with, claiming he was won over by the Italian's methods in just one week. De Zerbi, aged 46, was officially announced as Tottenham Hotspur's new head coach on Tuesday after signing a substantial five-year contract with the club.
Tottenham's Managerial Turmoil and Relegation Battle
This appointment marks De Zerbi as Tottenham's third manager of the current season, following the departures of Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor. The club's persistent struggles under previous leadership have left them mired in a precarious relegation fight. Spurs currently occupy 17th place in the Premier League standings, clinging to a mere one-point advantage over West Ham United with only seven fixtures remaining in the campaign.
Sandro's Glowing Endorsement from Benevento Days
Sandro, the former Tottenham and Brazil international midfielder, worked closely with De Zerbi during the 2023 season at Italian side Benevento. In an interview with talkSPORT that year, when asked to identify the best manager he had played under, Sandro responded emphatically: "De Zerbi, 100 per cent." He elaborated, "I worked with him and fell in love with him in the first week… He's got passion. He's there every day, like a teacher. He practised a lot, the repetition."
Despite Benevento finishing at the bottom of Serie A and suffering relegation that season, Sandro believes De Zerbi significantly improved the team after arriving in October. "He's a manager who wants to have the ball all the time," Sandro later told BBC Sport. "A very intelligent and very particular manager who thinks a lot about the game. He helps players and gives them the details they need to hurt the opponent."
De Zerbi's Impact on an Experienced Player
Sandro highlighted how De Zerbi's coaching reinvigorated him as a seasoned professional. "Benevento were in a very bad situation, but De Zerbi picked some players to try to improve the team and I was part of that. I didn't know that I was going to meet one of the best coaches that I've had," he recalled. "It was amazing because I learned a lot from him, and I really enjoyed playing for him. I saw great things. When I arrived there, I was already an experienced player and I'd seen so many coaches."
He added, "He made me come to games with fire, like 'what's he going to teach us today? What are we going to do?' You must be good to do that. I wanted more. I wanted to play for him."
De Zerbi's Career Path and Tottenham Challenge
After leaving Benevento, De Zerbi embarked on a managerial journey that included a three-year stint at Sassuolo, followed by spells at Shakhtar Donetsk, Brighton & Hove Albion, and most recently Marseille. His inaugural match in charge of Tottenham is scheduled for Sunday, April 12, an away fixture against Sunderland. As Spurs face a critical period to secure their Premier League status, Sandro's fervent endorsement provides a hopeful narrative for fans anticipating a turnaround under the new leadership.
