adminTottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi is facing mounting pressure following his team’s frustrating 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest, although there has been no official confirmation that the Italian has been dismissed.
Spurs have endured a hugely disappointing opening to the 2026/27 Premier League season. Tottenham began their campaign with a 3-0 defeat against Brentford before suffering another setback in a 2-0 loss to Newcastle United. While the goalless draw at Nottingham Forest finally gave them their first league point, the performance did little to calm concerns surrounding De Zerbi and his squad.
Tottenham failed to score for the third consecutive Premier League game and, even more worryingly, did not manage a single shot on target against Forest. The lack of attacking threat has intensified scrutiny of De Zerbi, particularly after the club invested heavily in the squad during the summer transfer window.
Spurs reportedly spent more than £300 million on new players as part of an ambitious rebuilding project. Several high-profile arrivals were brought in with the expectation that they would help transform the team and push Tottenham towards the upper end of the Premier League table.
So far, however, that investment has failed to produce the expected results. De Zerbi’s tactical ideas have yet to fully translate onto the pitch, while the new-look Tottenham side appears to be struggling for confidence, creativity and attacking sharpness.
The pressure had already increased following the defeat to Newcastle. Tottenham displayed defensive vulnerabilities during that match and were unable to maintain a consistent level of performance. Although the point against Nottingham Forest prevented another defeat, one point from three games, combined with three consecutive matches without a goal, represents a hugely underwhelming start for a club with such high ambitions.
There have also been distractions away from the pitch. Richarlison was left out of Tottenham’s Premier League squad after reportedly refusing a contract extension and expressing his desire to leave the club. De Zerbi previously revealed that he had attempted to persuade the Brazilian striker to remain in north London, but ultimately chose to focus on other attacking options.
Another major storyline has involved Mykhailo Mudryk, who returned to competitive action after 645 days when he came on as a substitute against Nottingham Forest. His comeback provided a rare positive moment during an otherwise difficult beginning to the campaign.
Despite the growing criticism, there is still a case for giving De Zerbi additional time. The Italian is trying to implement a different style of football while simultaneously adapting to a squad that underwent significant changes during the summer. Three Premier League matches may not provide enough evidence to determine whether his long-term project will succeed.
Nevertheless, football remains a results-driven business, and Tottenham supporters will expect improvement sooner rather than later. The biggest concern is not simply the failure to score goals but the lack of a convincing identity on the pitch.
Fans are often willing to tolerate disappointing results when they can see signs of progress and a clear direction. At the moment, however, Tottenham have struggled to provide either.
Their upcoming Premier League clash with Everton could therefore prove particularly important for De Zerbi. A convincing performance accompanied by a victory would provide a much-needed boost and could ease some of the pressure surrounding the manager.
On the other hand, another disappointing result, particularly another game without a goal, would almost certainly increase speculation over his position.
For now, claims that Tottenham have already sacked Roberto De Zerbi remain unconfirmed. The Italian is still in charge, but his position has undoubtedly become more difficult following such a poor opening to the season.
Tottenham have taken just one point from their first three league matches, failed to score in any of them and registered no shot on target against Nottingham Forest. Given the substantial financial investment made in the squad, those numbers are likely to increase the pressure on everyone at the club.
De Zerbi has not been dismissed, but the next few matches could prove crucial. Tottenham’s performances and results may ultimately determine whether the club gives the manager enough time to build his team or eventually decides that another change in the dugout is necessary.
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