Robero De Zerbi demands 'soul and style' as Tottenham begin new season

The Tottenham manager has identified two key priorities for his team in 2026/27: finding the right spirit within the squad and developing a clear identity on the pitch.

De Zerbi admitted the past three months had felt much longer as he worked to shape his new project at the club.

"It seems I'm here for 10 years now! Three months, just three months, a very intense three months," he said.

The Italian also stressed that Tottenham must learn from what happened last season before turning their attention to the new campaign.

"I think we can't forget what happened last season. It's a lesson, a big lesson for us, for every one of us," De Zerbi said.

"But we have to go to another page and start another season, an important season."

De Zerbi believes the foundation of Tottenham's progress must come from the character of the squad.

"We are building, I think, a new project and now the big challenge, without talking too much about the target, the goal of this season... the first two targets we have very clear in ourselves is to find the soul of the team," he said.

"The second target is to improve in our organisation of football, with the ball, without the ball."

For De Zerbi, those two areas will define Tottenham's campaign. He wants the team to develop a recognisable style while also showing a strong collective spirit.

"Our style has to be the key of our season, like our soul," he said. "These two characteristics I want to find as soon as possible."

The manager also made it clear that every player must be fully committed to the challenge ahead.

"To find the soul, every one of us, they have to stay here with the right spirit, proud to stay here, and with great ambition, great motivation," De Zerbi said.

"Otherwise it's tough. One season with me, without motivation, without ambition, it becomes tough for everyone."