Roberto De Zerbi, the current manager of Tottenham Hotspur, has been employing an unconventional method to motivate his players and save the club's Premier League status. He has turned to YouTube, showcasing their past victories and greatest moments as a source of inspiration.
Despite showing signs of improvement under De Zerbi's leadership in their first two matches, Spurs have yet to secure a win in the league this year. Currently positioned at 18th place in Premier League table, they face a crucial match against Wolves at Molineux on Saturday - a venue where they haven't tasted victory for over five years. The pressure is mounting as they need this win to keep up with West Ham above them.
De Zerbi acknowledges that with only five matches remaining and Tottenham's top-flight status hanging by a thread, it is essential for the players to remember their past glory days.
Roberto De Zerbi, Tottenham manager, said:
"My words are not enough and I try to find the best solution to reach every player. Sometimes you arrive with a video, sometimes with words, sometimes with red win, or a beer," said the 46-year-old. You have to find the balance. The balance between the football and the improvement on the pitch because we play football. But I think the most important part for a player is [the head] and the heart."
"It's what they have done in their career, also in other clubs. If I play with [Randal] Kolo Muani as right winger it’s because he has played in that position. If you go to YouTube, and go to Kolo Muani Eintracht Frankfurt, you can see he played very well in that position and scored a lot of goals. When I don’t work in my office, I go to find something important for me to give more information about the players because we have no time and have to consider everything to stay up. I use YouTube or Wyscout to find the best solution for the players, not for me."
Tapping into past successes
The Italian coach believes that one way out of this predicament is by preventing his team from dwelling on their season’s shortcomings. They've managed only seven wins so far in the Premier League. Instead, he wants them to focus on what they were capable of before and can be again. To achieve this goal, De Zerbi has been using YouTube videos featuring some of Tottenham’s most memorable performances as motivational tools. This innovative approach aims at reminding his players about their potential and inspiring them towards better performance on the field.
However, injury problems continue plaguing Tottenham’s campaign. Destiny Udogie, Guglielmo Vicario and Pape Matar Sarr are all set to miss out on the upcoming trip against Wolves due to injuries. Furthermore, there seems no immediate prospect of seeing Dejan Kulusevski back in action this season. James Maddison, who recently returned from an ACL injury, is also a concern. Despite being selected on the bench for the next game, De Zerbi confirmed that he might not be available due to minor pain experienced during the week.
In these challenging times, Roberto De Zerbi's innovative approach of using YouTube as a motivational tool reflects his commitment to reviving Tottenham's form. As they gear up for their crucial match against Wolves, it remains to be seen whether this strategy will help Spurs rediscover their winning ways and secure their Premier League status.
