Tottenham Hotspur are taking a proactive approach to their on-field struggles by advertising for performance psychologists to join both their men's and women's teams. The Premier League club's search comes as they battle relegation, having slipped into the bottom three after a dismal run of form.
New manager Roberto de Zerbi, appointed in late March as the club's third head coach this season, has emphasized the need for a mental shift. "My job is to give the players the right mentality," the Italian stated, acknowledging the psychological challenges facing the squad.
The club's LinkedIn advertisement seeks an "outstanding performance psychologist" to provide "evidence-based psychological support to elite players." The role description highlights the need for someone who can build trust with players and coaches while developing "a psychologically informed performance culture throughout the team."
"This role demands a practitioner who is credible, discreet, and highly effective in a Premier League environment, capable of building trust with players and coaches while operating with the professional rigor expected at the highest level of the game," the advertisement states.
Tottenham's struggles have been stark. They've won just seven of their 33 Premier League fixtures this season and are currently enduring a 15-game winless streak in the league. Their last victory came at Crystal Palace on December 28, and they haven't won at home since beating Brentford on December 6.
Defender Micky van de Ven recently admitted the team's poor form has been "mentally tough" and that players have been "suffering." With just five games remaining and sitting two points from safety, the psychological support could prove crucial in their fight for survival.
The club is also recruiting a sport psychologist specifically for their women's team, indicating a broader commitment to mental performance across the organization.