De Zerbi addresses past comments about Greenwood in first words as Tottenham manager

LONDON — Roberto De Zerbi used his first appearance as Tottenham Hotspur manager to clarify remarks he once made about Mason Greenwood, insisting he never intended to diminish the seriousness of violence against women.

Speaking to Spurs’ in-house media on Thursday, the Italian said he chose to answer in Italian “because I want to be clear,” and stressed that protecting vulnerable people has been a constant in his life.

“I have never wanted to downplay the issue of violence against women or violence against anyone more broadly,” De Zerbi said. “In my life, I have always stood up for those who are more vulnerable, more fragile.”

The 45-year-old’s appointment on a five-year deal Tuesday drew criticism from sections of the club’s support after fan groups, including Women of the Lane and the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust, highlighted comments he made while coaching Greenwood at Marseille. De Zerbi had called the forward a “good guy” who “paid dearly for what happened,” and said he regretted the portrayal of Greenwood “especially in England.”

Greenwood was charged in October 2022 with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault; prosecutors dropped the case in February 2023 after key witnesses withdrew and the chances of conviction were judged unrealistic.

De Zerbi, father to a daughter, said he is “very sensitive to these things, and I always have been,” adding: “I am sorry if I offended anyone’s feeling with this subject matter.”

He expressed hope that supporters will come to understand his character over time: “Those of you who know me well will know that I am not the kind of person who makes compromises to win more games or to win an extra title.”

On the pitch, De Zerbi inherits a club hovering one point above the Premier League relegation zone with seven matches remaining and an unbroken top-flight presence since 1978. He reiterated his long-term commitment, saying, “I signed five years of contract because, for me, it is a big challenge, and I will be the coach of Tottenham next season, no matter what.”

Acknowledging the difficulty of the task, he added: “It’s a difficult moment for everyone at Tottenham but I think we have the right qualities to come out of this moment.”