De Zerbi backs Tottenham’s ambition to become Premier League champions

Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi says he is determined to help the club fulfil their long-term aim of becoming Premier League champions.

Chief executive Vinai Venkatesham set out that objective earlier this week, prompting criticism and mockery from rival supporters because of Tottenham’s recent struggles.

De Zerbi, however, welcomed the ambition expressed by the club’s leadership and said he was eager to contribute to delivering success.

“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,” De Zerbi said.

“And you have to show the right mentality every day, game by game because just with the words is not enough.

“What Vinai, the Lewis family, Johan Lange, what they are doing is something special because in the last two seasons, I think you can see they are changing a lot of things in this club.

“And for me as a coach, for my staff, for the players, we have to show to the best self to stay in this club.”

Tottenham have not won the English league title since 1961 and avoided relegation on the final day of last season. They have finished 17th in each of the previous two campaigns.

De Zerbi said Tottenham’s ambition needed to be demonstrated through their daily standards and performances rather than statements alone. He praised the work being undertaken by Venkatesham, the Lewis family and Johan Lange, saying the club had changed significantly during the past two seasons.

The club are currently ninth in the Premier League, 12 points behind leaders Arsenal, after gradually recovering from a poor start to the campaign.

Despite significant spending in the transfer window, including the arrivals of Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, Tottenham failed to win any of their first six league matches.

Their recovery began with a draw away to Manchester United. Victories over Coventry, Chelsea and Crystal Palace then helped De Zerbi’s side move clear of the relegation places and climb into the top half of the table.

Their next opportunity to continue that progress comes on Saturday, when Tottenham travel to face Leeds.