Alan Shearer believes Roberto De Zerbi cannot afford another poor result when Tottenham Hotspur travel to Manchester United on Saturday, with the Italian already under pressure after a miserable start to the season.
Spurs sit bottom of the Premier League after collecting just two points from their opening five games. Despite spending approximately £400 million during the summer, they remain winless and have endured their worst start to a Premier League campaign after five matches, surpassing their previous low from the 2008-09 season.
Their Carabao Cup exit against Liverpool last month has only added to the frustration. De Zerbi now faces a difficult trip to Old Trafford, where Manchester United are also struggling after winning just once in their opening five league fixtures.
Shearer explains why De Zerbi needs results quickly
Alan Shearer acknowledged the job De Zerbi did last season but warned that Tottenham’s patience could be tested if results fail to improve.
“De Zerbi did a great job, didn’t he, last year, in keeping them up in the style that he did and clearly, as part of that, he got the contract he wanted, and he got them spending a fortune on players that he wanted and demanded because he had huge power and in a huge position of strength, but he needs to get results now,” Shearer said, as quoted by Football 365.
The former Newcastle United striker believes the performances themselves could determine how much time the Tottenham manager has left. Winning is important, but the manner of the defeats will also matter to the club’s hierarchy.
“There have been little glimpses of improvement, and we will have to see what reaction they get at the weekend, but he’ll know, and everyone else knows that he needs a result.”
Shearer also made it clear that another heavy defeat would be difficult to accept.
“He can’t afford to play Man United and be beaten 2 or 3-0; that’s for sure.”
With both sides desperate to get their campaigns back on track, Tottenham need points urgently, and another setback would only intensify the questions surrounding his position.
