Roberto De Zerbi has described keeping Tottenham in the Premier League as the “biggest achievement” of his managerial career.
The relegation fight went down to the final day, with Spurs needing to match West Ham’s result to secure survival in the top flight.
Tottenham managed a 1-0 win over Everton, courtesy of a Joao Palhinha goal, which ensured they finished two points above West Ham, who were relegated despite beating Leeds United 3-0.
It was only Tottenham’s third league win in 2025-26 and their first home victory since December’s 2-0 win over Brentford. The club’s survival came despite recording just three home wins all season, a tally only previously matched by Hull City in the 2008-09 relegation escape season.
Defender Micky van de Ven admitted it was “embarrassing” that Spurs had to wait until the final moments to guarantee safety, but De Zerbi praised the outcome as a major milestone.
“I think this is the biggest achievement in my time,” De Zerbi said.
“The Europa League at Brighton was great. The second place in Marseille, with a lot of problems, was a big achievement. But I think [keeping Spurs up] was maybe one of the best days in football so far.
“For sure, we have to learn from our mistakes. We are happy because we stay up, and we forget the past. Actually, no! Stupid people forget the past.
“The smart people, the people with value, can’t forget and keep in their mind the past. We have to improve from our mistakes. And we are looking forward to start to rebuild a team. We have no time to go on holiday.
“Will we be stronger for this? If we remember this day, for sure. Next season, we have to keep in our mind [what has happened], to give our best in every training session. If we remember this, it will be easier.
“We are Tottenham, and we can’t suffer like this until the last second of the last game to stay up. My target now is finished, to stay up. My [next] target is to start pre-season with the team in my dream, in my head.”
Tottenham have now finished 17th in back-to-back seasons, the first time the club has done so since a three-season stretch between 1912-13 and 1914-15.
