Roberto De Zerbi has addressed his feedback about Mason Greenwood.
Roberto De Zerbi labored with Mason Greenwood throughout his time at Marseille (Picture: Getty)
Roberto De Zerbi has apologised for any offence attributable to his earlier feedback on Mason Greenwood. The newly-appointed Tottenham boss labored with Greenwood throughout his time accountable for Marseille earlier than leaving the membership earlier this yr. His current arrival in north London to interchange Igor Tudor sparked a backlash from supporters because of his earlier assist of Greenwood.
The previous Manchester United striker was charged with tried rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour in 2022. The next yr, these prices have been dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service. Greenwood, who denied the fees, has since resumed his soccer profession at Marseille and was an everyday starter beneath De Zerbi through the Belgian’s tenure.
Final yr, De Zerbi insisted Greenwood was a ‘good man’ whereas suggesting he had paid a ‘heavy value’ over the criticism he had acquired after he was charged.
Greenwood’s transfer to Marseille in 2024 sparked main controversy in France however De Zerbi refused to criticise him throughout his time accountable for the membership.
Following his appointment as Tottenham’s new supervisor, he was slammed by a number of fan teams on account of his prior feedback about Greenwood.
De Zerbi has since apologised, saying in his first interview as Spurs head coach: “I’ve by no means needed to downplay the difficulty of violence towards ladies, or violence towards anybody extra broadly.
“In my life, I’ve all the time stood up for individuals who are extra weak, extra fragile. I’ve constantly fought and brought a stand to be on the aspect of those that are most in danger.
“These of you who know me effectively will know that I’m not the type of one who makes compromises to win extra video games or to win an additional title. I’m sorry if I offended anybody’s feeling with this material.
De Zerbi has apologised for his earlier feedback in assist of Greenwood (Picture: Getty)
“I’ve a daughter and I’m very delicate to those issues, and all the time have been. I hope that over time folks will get to know me higher and can perceive that at that second I didn’t imply to take a stance.”
De Zerbi beforehand mentioned that he was ‘saddened’ by the best way Greenwood was portrayed in England after he was charged in 2022.
“He’s an excellent man, he paid a heavy value for what occurred, a really heavy value,” mentioned the previous Marseille boss in November.
“He has discovered the best setting for him. We now have lent him a hand and given him affection. He’s a bit bit introverted however I do know him and his household.
“It saddens me what occurred in his life, as a result of I do know a completely completely different particular person than the one who was described in England.”
When requested a few proposed deal for Greenwood earlier than he signed for Marseille, De Zerbi mentioned: “Mason is a world-class participant, however we now have not recruited him but.
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“I don’t know what occurred, however I’m not used to become involved in my gamers’ non-public life. If he comes right here, it’s a must to know that I deal with all my gamers like my sons. I can inform them off in non-public, however I’d by no means assault them in public.”
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