De Zerbi urges patience: “Premier League isn’t Football Manager” as Spurs’ winless run continues

Roberto De Zerbi has said the Premier League is not 'Football Manager' and has called for patience with his Tottenham Hotspur team.

The North Londoners remain winless in the Premier League after a goalless draw at Nottingham Forest on Saturday. Spurs failed to score for the third consecutive game, their worst goalless run since November 2021.

De Zerbi's side failed to have a shot on target at the City Ground in a four-year first, with pressure increasing after a heavy summer spend.

Spurs spent over £300m on new players during the summer transfer window, signing four of the five most expensive players in the club's history.

Reflecting on the stalemate at Forest, De Zerbi insisted the Premier League was not 'Football Manager' and that it would take time for his new side to gel.

"We bought very, very good players but you can't just build the team with the names like in Football Manager," he told Sky Sports.

Tottenham still winless: De Zerbi happy with structure, says team needs time and smarter decisions in attack

"I think we played well, in the last third we have to improve, we have to take better decisions, maybe keep calmer when we are close to doing something important.

"The chance when Marmoush shot, we had Robertson overlapping. If we take the right decision and if we play with Robertson on the second post there is Kudus to score.

"I am very happy with the spirit, with the organisation, their style of play is very clear, long ball and second ball, even the second ball we won many duels. They are good players.

"Taking a point in this stadium is not so easy. We are not happy because we didn't win but this is the right spirit and the right way to move on in this moment."