Roberto De Zerbi could once again find himself under the spotlight for the wrong reasons after fresh footage sparked renewed discussion about his touchline conduct and an infamous handshake incident.
The Tottenham boss has developed a reputation for his fiery personality, and the latest controversy has brought back memories of his heated confrontation with former Spurs interim manager Cristian Stellini. This time, the attention came after Tottenham’s goalless draw with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, a match already dominated by a controversial VAR decision.
Forest appeared to have taken the lead when Neco Williams helped force the ball into the net, only for the goal to be ruled out following a VAR handball review. Forest manager Oliver Glasner was furious with the decision, arguing that there was not enough clear evidence to justify overturning the original call.
The latest footage has also revived memories of De Zerbi’s previous handshake controversy. In 2023, during his time at Brighton, the Italian became involved in a heated exchange with Stellini ahead of a meeting with Tottenham. The confrontation escalated and resulted in both managers being sent off. De Zerbi later said he felt disrespected but insisted the incident was a personal matter.
That history has made the latest footage particularly interesting to supporters, with some questioning whether the FA could examine De Zerbi’s behaviour if officials believe he crossed the line. However, there is currently no confirmed charge or touchline suspension, with any potential action dependent on the referee’s report and whether the authorities believe the rules were breached.
The controversy comes at an especially difficult time for De Zerbi. Tottenham have now failed to score in each of their first three Premier League matches, although Saturday’s draw at least earned them their first point of the campaign. De Zerbi admitted afterwards that his team must become more effective in the final third, highlighting several opportunities where a better pass or more composure could have made the difference.
Spurs’ attacking problems are becoming increasingly concerning, particularly after a significant summer investment in the squad. Their struggles were highlighted by the fact that they failed to register a single shot on target throughout the match.
Forest, meanwhile, remain unhappy with the VAR decision. Glasner maintained that the evidence was not strong enough to overturn the referee’s original decision, while Williams rejected suggestions that he had deliberately handled the ball, claiming he had played it with his head.
The controversy is unlikely to disappear quickly. While Forest continue to demand answers over the disallowed goal, De Zerbi has bigger issues to solve — avoiding further disciplinary trouble and, more importantly, finding a way to get Tottenham’s expensive squad producing goals. For now, talk of a potential ban remains speculation, but it is certainly another unwanted distraction for the Spurs boss.
