De Zerbi Discusses Romero’s Exit Pact with Spurs

Roberto De Zerbi has laid bare the agreement sitting behind Cristian Romero’s push for a new challenge – and made it clear he will not stand in the defender’s way.

The Spurs head coach, speaking about the World Cup‑winning centre-back, explained that a deal was struck the moment he walked through the door in April, when survival was the only item on the agenda.

“At the beginning of my time, in April, I had, I don’t know, one million individual meetings,” De Zerbi said, as quoted by Metro. “And [the players] told me what was their idea. I said: ‘Yes, help me to stay up, and then I help you to leave’. If you don’t help me to stay up, you stay underwater with me!”

That was the bargain. Keep the club up, and the coach would not block an exit for those wanting to move on.

Romero, De Zerbi stressed, more than held up his end.

The Italian was effusive about the Argentine’s conduct, painting a picture of a leader who stayed locked in, even when he was left out.

“But Romero with me was unbelievable. Top, in his behaviour, his respect, he suffered when he did not play the last game,” De Zerbi said. He then moved quickly to shut down whispers around the player’s commitment. “It is not true that he wanted to leave for Argentina to prepare for their World Cup. It’s not true.”

The relationship did not end with the final whistle of the season, either. Contact continued after international duty, but never, De Zerbi insisted, with the intention of twisting Romero’s arm.

“After the semi-final [against England] we text a message, but I never called him to convince him to stay,” he explained. “I respected what he told me. Like for [Guglielmo] Vicario, like for every player.”

That line matters. It underlines a philosophy as much as a transfer stance: players who deliver will not be chained to the club.

For De Zerbi, Romero is not just another asset. He is a benchmark.

“Romero as a player is one of the best centre-backs in the world,” the Spurs boss said. “But at the end I said I want to respect the will of the players.”

If Romero now chooses to walk away in search of that “new challenge”, De Zerbi has already given his word. And in this dressing room, that pact still holds.