Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi said his players must play for the club's dignity in a final-day relegation showdown against Everton.
The match represents a critical survival effort for the club, as a failure to secure a result could lead to relegation from the Premier League.
De Zerbi said the upcoming clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is more important than the club's appearance in the Europa League final last season [1, 2]. The manager's remarks follow a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea [1], which left the team in a precarious position heading into the season finale.
To ensure they stay in the top flight, Spurs need at least a home draw on Sunday [1]. The stakes are heightened by the position of their rivals, as West Ham currently sit two points behind Tottenham [1].
De Zerbi said his squad must fight to "stay alive" [3]. He framed the struggle not just as a matter of league standing, but as a test of the club's honor, and identity. The manager said the players must prioritize the survival of the institution over past European achievements.
The final day of the 2025-26 Premier League season will determine whether the club maintains its status or faces the financial and sporting consequences of the second tier [1, 2].
“play for the club’s dignity”
Tottenham's proximity to relegation despite a recent European final appearance highlights a volatile season of contrasting fortunes. A failure to secure a point against Everton would result in a historic fall for the club, potentially triggering a financial crisis and a mass exodus of talent due to the loss of Premier League television revenue.
