What Roberto De Zerbi said about Mason Greenwood after backlash from Tottenham fans

Tottenham fans have been eager for the relegation-threatened club to bring in a replacement as quickly as possible after Igor Tudor was axed just 44 days into his spell as head coach.

But Spurs’ decision to narrow down their search to Roberto De Zerbi has not been well received by some corners of the fanbase – and it’s the Italian’s previous comments about Mason Greenwood which have caused such friction.

Official confirmation of De Zerbi’s appointment arrived on Tuesday evening, with the ex-Brighton boss putting pen to paper on a five-year deal in north London – his first job since leaving Marseille by mutual consent in February.

Throughout his near two-year-long spell in charge of Marseille, De Zerbi threw his support behind Greenwood, a player once lauded as a potential superstar of English football.

However, Greenwood’s move to Marseille was filled with controversy given it came two-and-a-half years after he had been arrested on suspicion of rape and assault (on January 31, 2022) while still a Manchester United player. He was further arrested on February 1, 2022 on suspicion of sexual assault and making threats to kill.

The young forward was subsequently charged on October 2022 with one count of attempted rape, one count of controlling and coercive behaviour and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Greenwood denied the charges.

The Manchester United academy product had been due to stand trial in November 2023, only for the charges to be dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service [CPS] in February 2023.

‘A combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction,’ the CPS said in a statement.

What comments did Roberto De Zerbi make about Mason Greenwood?

Marseille received heavy criticism over their decision to sign Greenwood back in 2024, with the city’s mayor, Benoit Payan, even urging the club not to bring in the player at the time.

But De Zerbi, who was appointed just 19 days before the transfer was agreed, suggested he was supportive of the idea as Marseille closed in on a deal for the England international.

‘Mason is a world-class player, but we have not recruited him yet,’ De Zerbi told reporters when asked about a proposed agreement for Greenwood.

‘I don’t know what happened, but I am not used to get involved in my players’ private life.

‘But if he comes here, you have to know that I treat all my players like my sons. I can tell them off in private, but I would never attack them in public.’

Once Greenwood was through the doors, De Zerbi insisted the former Manchester United attacker – who has been capped once by the England national team – was a ‘good guy’.

He also suggested he was ‘saddened’ by how Greenwood had been represented by the press in his native England.

‘He’s a good guy, he paid a heavy price for what happened, a very heavy price,’ De Zerbi said in the media when asked about Greenwood last November.

‘He has found the right environment for him. We have lent him a hand and given him affection. He’s a little bit introverted but I know him and his family.

‘It saddens me what happened in his life, because I know a totally different person than the one who was described in England.’

Several supporter groups – and high-profile fans such as Rachel Riley – pushed for Manchester United to terminate Greenwood’s contract after the allegations came to light in 2022.

And there have been several groups opposed to the appointment of De Zerbi on the basis of his past remarks about Greenwood.

THFC Flags, a fan-led group ‘committed to promoting and amplifying this culture’ at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, were among those to join the ‘No to De Zerbi’ campaign before the Italian touched down in the capital.

A statement from the group read: ‘Tottenham Hotspur claims to be a club that prides itself on being inclusive, supportive and safe.

‘As a group committed to promoting and amplifying this culture, in the belief this will create the best environment and atmosphere to enjoy football, we’re extremely disappointed and dismayed by the publicised pursuit of Roberto De Zerbi…

‘De Zerbi is not the kind of person we want associated with our club or representing us. No to De Zerbi.’

Proud Lilywhites, Spurs’ official LGBTQ+ fans’ group, said: ‘When someone in that position publicly defends a player like Mason Greenwood, it matters, not just in isolation but in what it signals.’

Meanwhile, Women of the Lane, whose aim is to remove sexism and misogyny in football, argued that De Zerbi’s comments raised ‘serious questions about judgement and leadership’ within the club.

Shortly after De Zerbi’s appointment, a statement from the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust read: ‘We note the club’s announcement of the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi to the manager role.

‘While we recognise the limited pool of managers with recent Premier League experience, and the need to act with urgency as Spurs face the prospect of relegation, this appointment raises serious and far-reaching concerns, and many fans have been in touch with us to urge us to communicate the strength of feeling. We raised these concerns directly with the club prior to its announcement.

‘The club has previously committed to challenging instances of violence against women and girls and acting with integrity and upholding its values when faced with any incidents.

‘De Zerbi’s comments about Mason Greenwood were unnecessary, ill-judged, and deeply offensive to a significant number of supporters and, without doubt, will have left victims of male violence alarmed.

‘We believe these statements, left unchecked, will create a divide among supporters at a time when we all need to be pulling together to back the team.

‘It is concerning that the club would put us in this position right when the team needs fans the most. Fans are rallying behind the “All Together, Always” initiative, and this appointment places heavy strain on that unity. If those remarks reflect his genuine views, they cast a troubling shadow over the values of the club we love.

‘The club must reassert its commitment to the values that fans hold dear – chief among them equality, respect, and integrity. Any perceived sympathy toward alleged perpetrators of physical or sexual violence against women fundamentally undermines trust in the custodianship of this club.

‘With this appointment, communications from the club and from Mr De Zerbi must clearly and unequivocally reaffirm these values. Furthermore, those words must be backed by meaningful action, including visible and sustained support for women’s charities and organisations working to combat violence against women.

‘Our preference would have been for a short-term appointment of an individual or individuals who understand the club and can lead the players in the seven battles to come. There would then have been an opportunity in the summer to attract a wide range of potential applicants with a track record of success in inspiring fans and players: candidates who could lead and develop sustained success for the team, for seasons to come.

‘The club has chosen otherwise. We will continue to support efforts to get behind the team and play our part in preserving the club’s Premier League status but it is understandable that many fans will do so with a heavy heart.’

Roberto De Zerbi’s first words as Tottenham boss

In his opening statement as Tottenham head coach, a ‘delighted’ De Zerbi said he was committed to steering the club back towards the right end of the table again.

The north Londoners are currently hovering just one point above the relegation zone after slumping to a wretched 3-0 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest in Tudor’s final match at the helm.

‘I am delighted to be joining this fantastic football club, which is one of the biggest and most prestigious in the world,’ De Zerbi told Spurs’ official website.

‘In all my discussions with the club’s leadership, their ambition for the future has been clear – to build a team capable of reaching great achievements, and to do that playing a style of football that excites and inspires our supporters.

‘I am here because I believe in that ambition and have signed a long-term contract to give everything to deliver it.

‘Our short-term priority is to climb the Premier League table, which will be the complete focus until the final whistle of the last game of the season.

‘I’m looking forward to getting out on the training pitch and working with these players to achieve that.’

Tottenham sporting director Johan Lange added: ‘Roberto was our number one target for the summer and we are very pleased to be able to bring him in now.

‘He is one of the most creative and forward-thinking coaches in world football, and brings with him a wealth of experience at the highest level, including in the Premier League.’

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