Roberto De Zerbi has fired a powerful warning to Tottenham Hotspur players and fans as the club fights to avoid relegation from the Premier League. "Losers cry and think negative," the Italian coach declared, setting a defiant tone ahead of a crucial run-in.

De Zerbi, who took over as Spurs' third manager of a turbulent season on March 31, has already faced a tough start. Following a 1-0 defeat to Sunderland, a 2-2 draw against his former club Brighton, and a narrow 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, Tottenham remain stuck in the relegation zone. But the 46-year-old isn't backing down.

Speaking at today's press conference, De Zerbi addressed the negative mindset he sees creeping in. "I heard, 'It is impossible.' We are crying, everyone, 'We are relegated.' Not yet," he said. "We have to die on the pitch, and to die on the pitch, we have to lose the game. Before losing the game, we have to play and we have to fight."

With Tottenham sitting two points behind West Ham, who also face a tough fixture, De Zerbi is urging his squad to block out the noise. "It is not the best moment for us. It is a tough and difficult moment. But the losers cry, the losers think negative. I don't want people close to me to be crying or think in a different way from me."

This isn't the first time a Tottenham manager has taken aim at the club's long-standing reputation for negativity—often dubbed "Spursy." Antonio Conte did the same during his tenure. Now, De Zerbi is tackling it head-on. "The most important challenge now is to silence the voice inside of us. Inside of the players, the staff, and the fans," he said.

For a club with a rich history but a recent habit of stumbling in big moments, De Zerbi's message is clear: it's time to fight, not fold. Whether his squad can channel that grit remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—the Italian isn't letting anyone wallow in defeat before the final whistle blows.