Marseille signed Mason Greenwood (right) in July 2024, less than a month after Roberto de Zerbi (left) was appointed manager
Published March 28, 2026 • Source: bbc.com
By Craig Nelson
Tottenham should not appoint former Marseille manager Roberto de Zerbi because of his support for Mason Greenwood, says a women's fans group.
De Zerbi, who has been suggested as a potential replacement for under-pressure interim manager Igor Tudor, signed former England forward Greenwood during his time at the Ligue 1 club.
Greenwood, 24, left Manchester United in 2023, after charges against him, including attempted rape and assault, were dropped.
In November, De Zerbi described Greenwood as a "good guy" who had paid a "heavy price".
Women of the Lane said De Zerbi's comments raised "serious questions about judgement and leadership".
The group, whose aim is to eradicate sexism and misogyny in football, said: "This is not an appointment Tottenham Hotspur should make."
Tottenham have won only one point in five Premier League matches under Tudor and are one point and one place above the relegation zone.
Italian De Zerbi, who left Marseille in February, has been reported as a replacement this season or during the summer.
He spent two successful seasons at Brighton, leading them into Europe, before leaving for Marseille in 2024.
In November, De Zerbi said of Greenwood: "It saddens me what happened in his life, because I know a totally different person than the one who was described."
Proud Lilywhites, Spurs' official LGBTQ+ fans' group, said: "When someone in that position publicly defends a player like Mason Greenwood, and frames it in a way that downplays the seriousness of what happened, it matters, not just in isolation but in what it signals."
Spurs Reach, Tottenham's official race, ethnicity and cultural heritage fans' group, said: "Regardless of intent, framing of this nature risks normalising harmful attitudes."