Roberto De Zerbi has issued an apology to Tottenham Hotspur fans who were offended by his previous comments regarding Mason Greenwood. De Zerbi, who was appointed as Tottenham manager on Tuesday, faced significant opposition from several Tottenham supporters' groups due to supportive remarks he made about former Manchester United forward Greenwood during their shared time at Marseille. He firmly stated that he would never intentionally downplay the issue of violence against women.

The controversy stems from Greenwood's past, as he was charged in October 2022 with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behavior, and assault following the online dissemination of images and videos. These charges were subsequently dropped in February 2023 by British prosecutors, citing a "combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses" and a "no realistic prospect of conviction."

During his first interview as Tottenham manager, conducted with the club's in-house media on Thursday, De Zerbi addressed the question about his comments on Greenwood, choosing to speak in Italian to ensure clarity. He stated, "I have never wanted to downplay the issue of violence against women, or violence against anyone more broadly. In my life, I've always stood up for those who are more vulnerable, more fragile."

De Zerbi further emphasized his personal values, explaining, "I've consistently fought and taken a stand to be on the side of those who are most at risk. Those of you who know me well will know that I'm not the kind of person who makes compromises to win more games or to win an extra title." He expressed regret, saying, "I'm sorry if I offended anyone's feelings with this subject matter. I have a daughter and I'm very sensitive to these things, and I always have been. I hope that over time people will get to know me better and will understand at that moment I didn't mean to take a stance."

His earlier remarks about Greenwood, made while at Marseille, included describing him as a "good guy" who "paid dearly for what happened," and adding, "I regret what happened in his life because I know someone different from what's being described, especially in England." This stance led to "No to De Zerbi" statements from groups like Proud Lilywhites, Women of the Lane, and Spurs Reach as speculation around his appointment intensified. The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust also voiced "serious and far-reaching concerns" regarding his hiring.

De Zerbi's appointment came after interim head coach Igor Tudor was sacked, with the Premier League outfit languishing in 17th position, just one point above the relegation zone after a disastrous campaign. Despite the club's challenging situation, De Zerbi pledged his long-term commitment. "I signed five years of contract because, for me, it is a big challenge and I will be the coach of Tottenham next season, no matter what," he affirmed. He expressed belief in the team, stating, "It's a difficult moment for everyone at Tottenham but I think we have the right qualities to come out of this moment. I believe in the players. I think we have to remember who we are and who the players are, because we have very big players and we have to work on their confidence and qualities." PA and The Associated Press contributed to this report.