If Roberto De Zerbi had not already realised the magnitude of the task at hand, it certainly became clear after Saturday’s trip to the Stadium of Light.
The new Tottenham Hotspur head coach saw his side slump to a 1-0 defeat against Sunderland, leaving them two points adrift in the Premier League relegation zone.
To make matters worse, captain and key player Cristian Romero was forced off with a season-ending injury.
De Zerbi takes Spurs players to high-end restaurant
De Zerbi does have some ideas up his sleeve to rectify the situation, and not just tactical innovations.
According to The Telegraph, the Italian has taken his squad out for a “lavish team-bonding meal” at a fancy restaurant.
The Spurs players and staff were treated to dinner at the Bacchanalia restaurant in Mayfair on Wednesday night, where a main course can cost as much as £130.
The meal was intended to “form a stronger bond” between the players and “ease the stress of their relegation battle”.
De Zerbi, who reportedly organised the night out himself, clearly believes Spurs’ mental fragility is a significant factor in their struggles this season.
His approach is not a novel one, though. His predecessor, Igor Tudor, also took his players out for a meal shortly after he replaced Thomas Frank as interim manager.
That clearly did not work for the Croatian, who lasted just 44 days and seven matches.
De Zerbi will hope his choice of restaurant adequately lifted spirits, with a game against his former club Brighton & Hove Albion to come on Saturday.
Spurs then travel to bottom side Wolves, before facing Aston Villa, Leeds United, Chelsea and Everton in their final fixtures.
By the end of that run of games, De Zerbi will know whether he is in charge of a Premier League club or a Championship club for next season.
