AliousRoberto De Zerbi, who was appointed as Tottenham’s new head coach on Tuesday to replace Igor Tudor, previously defended former Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood. Greenwood joined Olympique de Marseille in 2024 after charges against him — including attempted rape and assault — were dropped.
At the time, De Zerbi described Greenwood as a “good guy” who had paid a “heavy price,” adding that he felt saddened by the situation because it did not reflect the person he believed Greenwood to be.
De Zerbi’s appointment on a five-year deal sparked concern from the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust, which issued a strongly worded statement warning of serious and far-reaching concerns, noting that the club had been made aware of the strength of feeling among supporters.
Speaking in Italian during his first interview with club media, De Zerbi addressed the controversy publicly for the first time since taking charge. He stressed that he has never intended to downplay violence against women or any form of violence. He explained that throughout his life, he has stood up for vulnerable individuals and consistently supported those at risk.
He also stated that he is not someone who compromises his values for success on the pitch and offered an apology to anyone offended by his earlier remarks. Highlighting his personal perspective, De Zerbi added that having a daughter makes him particularly sensitive to such issues. He expressed hope that, over time, people would better understand that his comments were not meant to take a definitive stance.
The Italian is still expected to address the matter further in his first press conference, according to Sky Sports News.
Greenwood had originally been charged in October 2022 with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault causing actual bodily harm following allegations involving a woman. However, the Crown Prosecution Service dropped the case in February 2023 due to the withdrawal of key witnesses and the emergence of new evidence, concluding that there was no realistic prospect of conviction.
It is understood that Tottenham’s board carefully reviewed and discussed the reaction to De Zerbi’s previous comments about Greenwood before finalising his appointment.
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