Tottenham Hotspur's newly appointed manager Roberto de Zerbi has addressed the controversy surrounding his past remarks about Mason Greenwood, stating he was "not surprised" by the negative reaction from supporters.
De Zerbi's hiring was met with opposition from certain fan groups due to comments he made about Greenwood while managing Marseille. The Italian manager signed and worked with Greenwood at the French club, leading to criticism when he was named Spurs boss earlier this year.
Speaking ahead of his first match in charge against Sunderland, De Zerbi expressed regret over the situation while standing by his character.
"I was a bit sad and sorry it happened because I'm sorry if somebody took offence," De Zerbi said. "I must repeat what I said. This topic is very close to me. I'm very sensitive about this topic because of the person I am and because I have a daughter."
The manager emphasized his stance against violence, particularly against women, stating: "I have always been against - always - any type of violence, especially against women. But not only violence - even just sexist jokes or other sexist behaviours."
De Zerbi's original comments about Greenwood came last November before a Champions League match, where he described the forward as "a good lad" who "paid in a strong way for what happened." He added that Greenwood had "found the right environment for him" at Marseille.
These remarks drew criticism from Tottenham supporters who felt De Zerbi was downplaying serious allegations against Greenwood. The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust informed the club they could not support De Zerbi's appointment, while Women of the Lane, a fan group, also expressed opposition.
Greenwood, a former Manchester United player, faced charges of attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in 2022. These charges were dropped in February 2023.
Despite the controversy, De Zerbi remains focused on his new role, preparing for Sunday's match while continuing to address concerns about his past statements regarding the sensitive case.