Harry Redknapp believes Tottenham Hotspur can quickly put their relegation scare behind them, with the former Spurs boss backing Roberto De Zerbi to lead the club back towards the top end of the Premier League next season.
Tottenham Hotspur will be hoping to bounce back domestically after two consecutive disappointing Premier League campaigns that saw them finish 17th in the table.
The Lilywhites only avoided relegation last season by two points, with Tottenham securing survival ahead of 18th-placed West Ham United after a tense final few weeks of the campaign.
Being dragged into a relegation battle for much of the second half of the season is simply not acceptable for a club of Tottenham’s stature, and the Tottenham Supporters’ Trust has already issued a strong statement making that clear.
Ambition has also been promised by the Lewis family as they look to build a squad capable of backing Roberto De Zerbi, who ultimately kept Spurs in the division.
Harry Redknapp backs Tottenham revival under Roberto De Zerbi
Former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has now shared his belief that Spurs can become a top-five side again next season following their difficult campaign.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Redknapp praised Roberto De Zerbi’s personality, energy and winning mentality, while also revealing he has heard positive things about the Italian from former Brighton midfielder Adam Lallana.
Redknapp said: “So they are going to rebuild. I like the manager. I think the manager is going to do a great job at Tottenham. I love the way he has come in, he is a winner, he is enthusiastic, he wants to win, he is out there on the touchline kicking every ball. I love him. I have never met him, but I like him and people tell me he is excellent.
“You know, I speak to Adam Lallana, who lives down in Bournemouth, and Adam was a fantastic player and an excellent young coach, and he just said he was amazing to work for when he was at Brighton.
“I think he is going to do a great job. I think next year Tottenham will be a top-five team again. I see them playing Champions League football next year. They will spend, it is all in place – the ground, the training ground – now they need the fans, they need the team, and I think this summer they will build a team that next year will never be in that position again.”
Spurs have examples to follow after survival scare
It is not impossible for Tottenham to make such a dramatic leap next season, especially given there are recent examples across the Premier League.
Manchester United finished 16th two seasons ago, in the same campaign Spurs lifted the Europa League, only to then climb to third place this season after rebuilding their squad.
Leicester City also offer a reminder of how quickly things can change. The Foxes finished 14th in the 2014-15 season with the same points tally and goal difference Spurs recorded last year, before going on to win the Premier League title the following campaign.
Tottenham simply need to strengthen well this summer and build around the level of manager they now have.