Jamie Carragher believes Tottenham will be relegated after Roberto De Zerbi's first game ended in a 1-0 defeat to Sunderland, leaving Spurs two points from Premier League safety
Nathan Ridley and James Smailes Head of All Out Rugby League and Yorkshire sport at Reach plc
12:58, 13 Apr 2026
Jamie Carragher speaks
View Image
Jamie Carragher speaks(Image: Sky Sports)
Jamie Carragher believes that 'awful' Tottenham will go down after Roberto De Zerbi's first game as manager ended in defeat. Spurs fell to a limp 1-0 loss away to Sunderland in their first match since parting company with Igor Tudor.
Sitting in the relegation zone, Tottenham are now two points from safety with six games remaining, as West Ham and Nottingham Forest both collected points over the weekend. And Carragher sees no way De Zerbi, who has been appointed on a five-year deal, can turn things around, with Spurs to go down and Leeds United to be safe.
"Normally, a new manager comes in and you say, 'It's his first game, that (their style of play) has to go out the window'," Carragher began on Sky Sports. "It had to go out the window for Igor Tudor and it's the same for Roberto de Zerbi because of where they find themselves.
"I can't believe it. Tottenham look like they're going to go down. The other teams have something going for them. One point in 24. You look at fixtures, you think that's a good game for Tottenham but they're awful.
"Do you think Tottenham will go to Wolves, bottom of the league, and win? No chance."
His damning assessment laid bare Spurs' challenge to avoid a first relegation since 1977. De Zerbi's side face Brighton, Leeds and Everton at home, while travelling to Wolves, Aston Villa and Chelsea before the season concludes. Tottenham were dragged into the relegation zone on Friday after West Ham thrashed Wolves 4-0. Forest also edged closer to safety by drawing 1-1 at home to Villa, keeping them above West Ham in 16th place.
Reflecting on the defeat, De Zerbi said: "I think we played a good game, not enough to win but we didn't deserve to lose. We have to accept and move on.
Article continues below
"We played a good game. We have enough quality to come out from this difficult moment. I'm sorry for the result, I'm sorry for the [Cristian] Romero injury and I hope for us and for him that it is not important. We had three or four clear chances to score.
"We can be better, especially to find the play between the lines. We made two or three mistakes in the last 15 metres and we have to move on into the next game. I spoke with the players five minutes ago and I said that I understand it has been a very tough season. It is a tough moment for everyone and we have to react with the right spirit. The quality of the players are amazing."