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Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi has blamed the club’s Australian pre-season tour for contributing to their humiliating start to the Premier League campaign.
Spurs were thrashed 3-0 by Brentford on Sunday, equalling their heaviest opening-round defeat of the Premier League era.
Keane Lewis-Potter and Vitaly Janelt put Brentford two goals ahead inside 33 minutes before Michael Kayode completed the rout shortly after half-time.
The defeat came despite Tottenham spending about $450million on a major overhaul of their squad.
Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, Jan Paul van Hecke, Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi were among the players brought into the club, while deals were also agreed for Manchester City pair Savinho and Omar Marmoush.
De Zerbi apologised for the performance and admitted his new-look side was comprehensively beaten across the pitch.
Roberto De Zerbi linked Tottenham’s poor physical condition to their Australian tour in late July and early August
Tottenham suffered a 3-0 loss to Brentford in their opening match of the new Premier League season
The Italian then pointed to Tottenham’s disrupted preparations, which included players returning late following the World Cup and the club travelling to Australia.
‘We are not at the right point in physical condition for a lot of reasons,’ he said.
‘The players, they came late after World Cup, because in Australia we couldn’t work in the right way for the trip. To [not] take risk.
‘But [that does] not excuse our normal situation.
‘When you are building a new project, a new process. I don’t want time, but we have to pass through these problems.’
Tottenham visited Australia during July and August as part of the 2026 Sydney Super Cup.
They faced Sydney FC on July 29, winning through a penalty shootout, before playing London rivals Chelsea at Accor Stadium on August 1.
De Zerbi had stated that his squad was behind schedule ahead of their Premier League opener, after Tottenham’s friendly against Hoffenheim.
De Zerbi apologised for the performance and admitted his new-look Tottenham side was ‘not a team yet’
Tottenham faced Sydney FC on July 29 and secured victory following a dramatic penalty shootout
He said Spurs failed to compete strongly enough against Brentford, losing too many duels, tackles and second balls.
His remarks about the Australian trip divided supporters, with one fan accusing the coach of refusing to accept responsibility for the defeat.
‘He won’t last long. A coach takes responsibility,’ the supporter wrote.
‘How do you not start the EPL in peak physical condition? Pretty much just put his staff and club under a bus.’
Other fans defended De Zerbi and questioned the sporting value of sending Premier League clubs across the world shortly before a new season.
‘Any rational person will understand a team flying across the world for a few friendlies as they try to prepare physically for the toughest league in the world isn’t ideal,’ one wrote.
‘It was a great trip for many reasons, but PL prep isn’t one.’
Another supporter claimed clubs would continue undertaking lengthy overseas tours because of the money involved.
‘TBF going to the other side of the world for a couple of pointless friendlies wouldn’t help your on the park performance,’ the fan wrote.
‘But owners only care about revenue so it won’t stop anytime soon.’
De Zerbi insisted he retained faith in his players but conceded Tottenham had yet to develop into a functioning team.
The manager said new signings could not immediately produce the connections, spirit and playing identity required to compete in the Premier League.
