Roberto De Zerbi: Spurs’ season will be better but we cannot buy mentality

Roberto De Zerbi has assured Tottenham supporters this season will be different but acknowledged his biggest challenge is to change the mentality of his expensively-assembled squad.

Optimism was high at Spurs after a successful survival bid on the final day of the 2025-26 campaign in May was followed by a remarkable transfer window where more than £350million has been committed by the north London club on eight new additions.

It has failed to instantly translate into better results after an opening-day 3-0 loss away to Brentford was followed by a 2-0 defeat at home to Newcastle on Saturday night.

De Zerbi revealed after the match that squad players Kevin Danso, Pape Sarr and Richarlison had asked to leave, but was defiant about the ambition of his new-look side.

After back-to-back 17th-placed finishes in the Premier League, De Zerbi promised better, but Tottenham are currently bottom after two matches.

De Zerbi said: “If I was positive last season when we were in the Championship, because when I came (in March) we were in the Championship, what do you think my thoughts now could be?

“I’m sorry for the fans, for the environment because after two defeats, maybe somebody can think it’s the same story, the same as the last two seasons. I have no doubt it’s not like this.

“I can’t change my opinion after two defeats. I have a big, big confidence in the qualities of my players.

“I’m sorry for the club, because they are building a great squad but maybe now we are not ready yet, for many, many reasons.

“Today, I think, until the first goal, we played better than Newcastle.

“It’s the biggest problem, it’s the biggest challenge and it’s the biggest target to find the right mentality. Unfortunately, you can’t buy the mentality in