'De Zerbi is the type of coach you want to play for' - Hughton

[Getty Images] Former Tottenham full-back and caretaker manager Chris Hughton says Roberto de Zerbi is a "demanding" but "feel-good factor" head coach. He also believes the Italian will have a "really good opportunity to build" this season, after guiding the club to Premier League safety on the final matchday of the 2025-26 season with a 1-0 win over Everton . "First and foremost, to take the job at the time he did was huge pressure in itself," Hughton said on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily. "You don't want to be the manager, if only for a few games, that takes a club like Tottenham down. "For that reason, I would say him taking this job showed he has a lot of confidence in himself. He knew he could do the job and keep the team up. "I'm quite sure he would've known about the funds that were going to be spent and the players that were going to be brought in this summer. He would've known that if he could keep the club in the division, he would have a really good opportunity to build. "What I know about him is that he is a very demanding coach. His players speak very well of him. He is not only demanding of his players, but also of his coaching staff. There is real detail in his training sessions. "You can also see his enthusiasm. He gives his players a real feel-good factor. "The fact that players are coming through the door now will incredibly lift the spirits in that changing room. He is the type of coach you want to play for." Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds