Roberto De Zerbi has opened up about one of his biggest challenges as Tottenham manager: instilling confidence in a squad that's fighting for Premier League survival.

Despite boasting players with impressive trophy hauls—including Europa League winners and Ligue 1 champions—Spurs find themselves locked in a tense relegation battle. For De Zerbi, the key to turning their season around lies not in tactics, but in the mental game.

"It's another of my problems," De Zerbi admitted with a wry smile. "I have too many problems."

The Italian manager, known for his passionate and detail-oriented approach, believes that building belief within the group is just as crucial as any game plan. "I love working on this part of my job," he explained. "When I was a player, I wanted coaches who could help me believe in myself, who could show me their vision for my role."

De Zerbi is determined not to overlook the human element of management. "Sometimes coaches forget this part of our work. But for me, this is where I want to be the best. I can't afford to lose on the pitch or get outsmarted tactically. But in terms of relationships, I want to give my absolute best to every single player. I don't want to leave anyone out."

With Aston Villa currently locked in a Europa League semi-final battle against Nottingham Forest—trailing 1-0 on aggregate—some might wonder if Spurs can catch a break. But De Zerbi isn't banking on any favors.

"Villa have 20 to 22 top-level players," he said, reeling off names like Douglas Luiz, Bogarde, Bailey, Sancho, Abraham, and Mings. "These aren't second-tier players. Whether Unai Emery rotates the squad or not, the quality of the opponent doesn't change. It's going to be a tough game, no matter what."

For Spurs fans, the message is clear: survival will come down to belief, resilience, and the bond De Zerbi builds with his squad. And if anyone can turn confidence into a weapon, it's a manager who sees it as his greatest challenge.