Spurs' title ambition excites De Zerbi

LONDON: Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi said he was hungry to fulfil chief executive Vinai Venkatesham's bold claim that the club's long-term goal was to win the Premier League.

When Venkatesham laid out the title target in an interview this week, the claim sparked derision from rival fans.

The north Londoners have not won the English title since 1961 and narrowly avoided relegation on the final day of last season.

Tottenham, who have finished 17th for the last two seasons, are currently ninth in the top-flight table after recovering from a dismal start.

They trail leaders Arsenal by 12 points ahead of Saturday's trip to Leeds.

But asked about Venkatesham's optimistic remark, De Zerbi told reporters he was encouraged by his belief in the potential for success.

"It was great to hear what Vinai said. I think the first thing for the people to stay in this club, to work in this club is to be ambitious, but to be ambitious you have to show," he said.

"And you have to show the right mentality every day, game by game because just with the words is not enough.

"What Vinai, the Lewis family, Johan Lange, what they are doing is something special because in the last two seasons, I think you can see they are changing a lot of things in this club.

"And for me as a coach, for my staff, for the players, we have to show to the best self to stay in this club."

A transfer window of lavish spending on Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and a host of other new recruits raised hopes of a successful season for Tottenham.

However, De Zerbi's team failed to win any of their first six league games.

They turned the tide with a draw at Manchester United before wins over Coventry, Chelsea and Crystal Palace lifted them away from the relegation zone.

"With the right behaviour, with the right mentality, to be hungry every day and to make a result. This is the best thing to do from our side," De Zerbi said of the secret to Tottenham's revival.