October 20, 2026
In an unconventional step aimed at extricating Tottenham Hotspur from its current crisis, Italian Roberto De Zerbi, the team’s coach, imposed a complete ban on the use of mobile phones during group meals, during the training camp that the club is holding in the Spanish city of Marbella, according to what was reported by the “Goal” sports network.
This decision comes at a time when Tottenham is in last place in the English Premier League standings, after being unable to achieve any victory in 6 consecutive matches, despite the management pumping about 380 million pounds ($505 million) to sign ten new players during the summer transfer period.
Through this measure, the Italian coach seeks to enhance direct human communication between players, accelerate the integration process of newcomers, and create a collective spirit that will help save the team’s season locally.
In press statements, De Zerbe explained the reasons for the decision, saying: “We worked together on the field and spent time together, and we decided to put away cell phones during breakfast, lunch and dinner, so that we could stay together and communicate with each other, as everyone has become preoccupied with their phones all the time.”
The coach pointed out that the Spanish camp was not limited to the physical and technical aspects only, but included serious meetings to discuss the declining performance, adding: “We talked about football, our current situation, and the need for each individual to bear his responsibility. We also organized special dinners for the players alone, and others for members of the technical staff.”
De Zerbe stressed that he always seeks to find radical solutions to improve the situation due to his responsibility, pointing out that this experience is not new to him, as he had previously applied it during his tenure as coach of the French Olympique de Marseille. He attributed the difficulty of building immediate harmony within Tottenham to the frequent changes in the lineup and the late joining of some players to their national teams, concluding by saying: “Spending three or four days together, away from families, and putting the club at the top of priorities, is normal and beneficial.”
Despite these strict restrictions on phones, De Zerbe stressed that the camp had not turned into a military barracks, as players were given the freedom to go out and explore the city of Marbella during their free time.
