Tottenham’s Reset: Van de Ven on De Zerbi’s Front-Foot Revolution

Tottenham staggered through last season with three different managers and an identity that never quite took hold. Thomas Frank, the man trusted to steady the club, didn’t even make it to the eight‑month mark before the axe fell, his cautious, “safety-first” approach leaving large sections of the fanbase cold.

The football felt tight, risk-averse, joyless. The connection between the team and the stands frayed.

Now, there is a very different mood around Spurs – and Micky van de Ven can feel it.

The Dutch defender has watched Roberto de Zerbi stride into the club and immediately start reshaping its footballing soul. With new signings through the door and, crucially, a full pre-season to work, the Italian has wasted no time imprinting his ideas on a squad that had looked drained.

“It’s going to be different compared to the manager we had last season,” Van de Ven said, drawing a clear line between eras.

Different how? He doesn’t hesitate.

“It’s going to be more with the ball, I think, more about playing football. I think it’s also going to be more enjoyable for people to watch because we’ll be playing offensive football.”

That is exactly what Spurs supporters have been craving. Less caution, more courage. Less sideways, more forward. Under Frank, Tottenham were often accused of retreating into their shell, prioritising control over incision. De Zerbi, by contrast, has built his reputation on aggressive, possession-based play that invites risk and rewards bravery.

Van de Ven has already seen that mentality take root on the training pitch.

“You can see he [De Zerbi] has brought a lot of passion into our group, a lot in terms of mentality and passion on the pitch,” he said.

This is not just about tactics or formations; it’s about mood. Spurs ended last season flat, mentally and emotionally. The churn in the dugout left players and fans alike “a little bit down,” as Van de Ven put it. Performances mirrored that dip: heavy legs, heavy minds.

De Zerbi’s arrival has jolted that atmosphere.

“He brings a lot of good energy and, from pre-season, we have really had the time to bring his football into the team. That’s really enjoyable.”

Time. It’s something Tottenham’s recent managers never truly had. De Zerbi, at least for now, has been given a summer to drill his ideas, challenge old habits and demand a bolder brand of football.

The message from inside the camp is clear: Spurs intend to play on the front foot again. The question now is how far that shift in mentality can carry them when the real games start.