‘I don’t treat my kids like that!’ - De Zerbi faces public criticism from players

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Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Roberto De Zerbi finds himself under pressure at Tottenham after a poor start to the Premier League season, but the Italian manager has also been attacked by two of his former players.

De Zerbi’s Spurs currently lie bottom of the Premier League table through five games, despite massive summer investment, ramping the pressure up on their boss.

And comments made by Marseille forward Neal Maupay and Atletico Madrid midfielder Arthur Vermeeren promise to give him another headache ahead of a Saturday clash against Manchester United.

Maupay hits out at De Zerbi

Maupay worked under De Zerbi during his 18 months at Marseille, yet the relationship between the pair was strained and the former Brentford, Brighton and Everton striker only made three total appearances last term.

In February 2025, De Zerbi said of the attacker: “Neal Maupay is like my son. He's staying in Marseille until I'm here. He's an example on and off the pitch.”

It’s a comparison that the 30-year-old does not appreciate.

“I don’t treat my children like that at home,” Maupay told RMC. “In any case, I don’t treat my children like that. Everyone has their own way, their own parenting methods.

“Last season was a very complicated one for me. I was pushed to the sidelines for a large part of the season. I trained alone. I came to the training ground and didn’t see anyone.

“When your belongings are left in a temporary building at the back of the training centre and you're alone doing laps of the pitch and you don't have access to your locker room... of course you suffer.”

‘Some of my team-mates told me it was unfair’

De Zerbi’s man-management methods at Marseille have also been candidly discussed by Atletico Madrid midfielder Arthur Vermeeren, who is on-loan at Antwerp this season after a difficult campaign in France.

The Belgian was criticised by the manager for not doing enough to win duels.

“He didn’t mean it in a bad way,” Vermeeren told Het Laatste Nieuws. “De Zerbi is just very imposing and direct. He gave me a lot of confidence. When you make a mistake like that, you must accept the consequences.

“In the weeks and months that followed, I barely played. It was difficult. Some of my team-mates told me it was unfair, but in the end, that’s just part of football.

“I spoke with De Zerbi a few more times. I'll keep what he told me to myself. He left shortly after as well.”

Back at Tottenham, De Zerbi finds himself one of the favourites to be the next Premier League manager sacked, with Sunday's clash against Man Utd likely to be a vital one in the trajectory of the club's season.