Maddison Hails ‘Passionate’ De Zerbi After Tottenham Escape Relegation Disaster

• James Maddison credited Roberto De Zerbi with saving Tottenham’s season after survival was secured on the final day
• Spurs beat Everton 1-0 while West Ham’s win over Leeds meant defeat would have sent Tottenham down
• Conor Gallagher revealed De Zerbi rebuilt belief instantly after arriving during the club’s crisis

Tottenham midfielder James Maddison has praised Roberto De Zerbi for rescuing the club from what he described as a potential “disaster” after Spurs secured Premier League survival on the final day of the season.

João Palhinha’s first-half strike sealed a tense 1-0 victory over Everton in north London on Sunday, ensuring Tottenham stayed in the top flight despite West Ham’s 3-0 win over Leeds.

The scenes at full-time were emotional inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after one of the bleakest campaigns in the club’s modern history. Spurs had failed to win a league match in 2026 before De Zerbi arrived in March and had slipped into the relegation zone amid fears of a first drop from the top division in 49 years.

Injuries to key figures including Cristian Romero and Xavi Simons only deepened the crisis, but De Zerbi gradually transformed both results and mood around the club.

A 15-match winless run finally ended away at Wolves earlier this month before Sunday’s victory delivered Tottenham’s first home league win since December 6.

Maddison, who spent much of the season sidelined with a serious knee injury, said the Italian’s relentless work ethic and emotional connection with the club had been central to the turnaround.

“I am really happy for the manager who came in and steered the ship clear because I think without him, it could have been doom and gloom if I am honest,” Maddison said.

“He’s so passionate. He’s been living at the training ground with the guys, with his team.

“He’s there at 9pm with all his staff. They’ve got the tactics board up, there’s six of them, they’re just talking, it’s 9pm and we’ve already had four or five meetings on each game. He’s just obsessed with football and he’s passionate.”

Maddison said De Zerbi’s authenticity had quickly won over both players and supporters during the club’s darkest period.

“When you feel the authenticity of someone who’s passionate for Tottenham, because I am, I love this club and I want this club to be successful so bad, and when you see the man who’s steering the ship, when he’s genuine, and not just saying it for the sake of it, you can tell he means that,” he added.

“That’s why he says, ‘I have blood inside me, not water’. He always says that. It’s because he’s genuinely passionate about the club.

“Without that appointment, disaster could have maybe struck, but it didn’t and he takes a lot of credit for that because of the work he’s done behind the scenes and on the training pitch.”

Tottenham’s miserable domestic season means there will be no European football next term, but Maddison believes that could ultimately benefit the club as De Zerbi begins rebuilding.

“I don’t want to say something ridiculous and give you a massive headline, but no Europe, which is not what this club should be at, but it is the reality and it can help, which it showed with Manchester United this year. So, I’m excited under this manager.”

Conor Gallagher echoed Maddison’s praise and admitted De Zerbi had completely changed the atmosphere after arriving midway through the campaign.

The England midfielder, who joined Tottenham in January, revealed the manager even used YouTube clips to restore confidence among the squad.

“He completely turned around the start of my Spurs career,” Gallagher said.

“From the first day or two he had everyone under his wing.

“Everyone trusted him instantly and everything he was doing, it was like ‘thank God he’s come in’ straight away.

“I can’t speak highly enough of him for what he’s done for the club, for the team and for me individually. I’m looking forward to working with him even more.”

For Tottenham, survival alone felt like a trophy by the end. And after months of chaos, anger and fear, De Zerbi has emerged as the man supporters now hope can drag the club forward again.