‘Like a family’: De Zerbi credits players’ talk and bonding trip for improving Tottenham

Roberto De Zerbi said that Tottenham are playing with more togetherness after holding a clear-the-air meeting before their recent game with Manchester United.

Spurs went on to draw 1-1 with 10 men against United and are out of the bottom three after beating Coventry 3-1 at home on Monday night. De Zerbi felt the performance against Coventry could have been better but was happy with his side’s attitude as they claimed their first Premier League win of the season.

Related: Davies ensures Spurs off the bottom after first win of season against Coventry

“It’s important,” the Spurs manager said. “The result is important but most important, two things. First one, we are able to realise we can win a game like other teams in the Premier League. The second thing, if we put [in] something from ourselves like we have done in the last two weeks. The day before Old Trafford we had a big meeting and spoke about the situation. We can’t accept and can’t move on if we don’t accept responsibility.”

De Zerbi took his squad to Marbella for a bonding trip and warm weather training last week. “This week has been important because we spend time together and want to be like a family,” he said. “During the game if you have a problem and there is a tough situation you have to play for your friend and your brother, not like 11 robot players on the pitch.”

Spurs took the lead when James Maddison marked his first start in 536 days with a brilliant goal. Coventry equalised through Jack Rudoni but Omar Marmoush responded with his first goal since leaving Manchester City and Ben Davies sealed the result.

Spurs are up to 16th and De Zerbi was happy that Maddison’s first goal since May 2025 was joined by Dejan Kulusevski coming off the bench to make his first appearance since suffering a serious knee injury in the same month.

“They are different players,” De Zerbi said. “Different talent, different experience, different personality. With them in the dressing room there is another atmosphere.”

Frank Lampard was happy with Coventry’s fight but was surprised that Marmoush’s goal was not ruled out after the Egyptian elbowed Milan van Ewijk. “I did think that,” Coventry’s manager said. “If you roll and your elbow is that high and it connects with Milan, I thought VAR would cancel it.”

Lampard was optimistic about his side. “It was a really big display,” he said. “3-1 changes the view at the end of the game. At 2-1 we were pushing.”