LONDON: Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi said he is hungry to fulfill chief executive Vinai Venkatesham’s bold claim that the club’s long-term goal is to win the Premier League.
Venkatesham set out the title target in an interview this week, drawing derision from rival fans. The north London club have not won the English title since 1961 and narrowly avoided relegation on the final day of last season.
Tottenham, who finished 17th in each of the last two seasons, are ninth after recovering from a dismal start. They trail leaders Arsenal by 12 points ahead of Saturday’s trip to Leeds.
Asked about Venkatesham’s remark, De Zerbi said he was encouraged by the club’s belief in its potential.
“It was great to hear what Vinai said. I think the first thing for the people to stay in this club, to work in this club is to be ambitious, but to be ambitious you have to show,” he said. “And you have to show the right mentality every day, game by game because just with the words is not enough.”
He praised Venkatesham, the Lewis family and Johan Lange for the changes made at the club over the past two seasons.
Heavy summer spending on Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and a host of other recruits raised hopes of a successful season. But De Zerbi’s side failed to win any of their first six league games. They turned the tide with a draw at Manchester United, then lifted themselves away from the relegation zone with wins over Coventry, Chelsea and Crystal Palace.
“With the right behavior, with the right mentality, to be hungry every day and to make a result. This is the best thing to do from our side,” De Zerbi said. — AFP
