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The Guardian’s investigation has revealed that the company responsible for the unauthorised partial felling of a 500‑year‑old oak in Whitewebbs Park, Enfield, was Ground Control, a maintenance business that reports a turnover of £190 million. The tree was cut down in September 2025 on behalf of Mitchells & Butler Retail (MBR), the owner of the Toby Carvery restaurant chain. MBR initially defended the action, claiming its contractor warned that the oak was diseased and posed a safety risk. However, a coalition of experts – including a Forest Commission investigator and ancient‑tree specialist Russell Miller – found the tree to be healthy with no imminent danger. Miller described the alleged “hazard” as an old, semi‑occluded wound that did not justify felling the entire tree. According to Dr. Ed Pyne of the Woodland Trust, the delay in identifying the contractor highlights a broader lack of transparency: "What evidence exists that the tree was dangerous? What qualifications did the operatives have?" He added that the justification for the removal remains unsubstantiated. Ground Control’s own documentation shows the work was assigned to its grounds‑maintenance team rather than its specialist arborists, a detail that fuels further criticism of MBR’s decision‑making process. Sources close to the firm say an internal review was conducted by a contracts manager, not a tree expert. Enfield Council, which owns the park, has launched legal action to evict Toby Carvery after MBR refused to apologise or offer compensation. The council also referred the incident to the police, but officers declined to investigate, deeming it a civil matter. Complicating the dispute, MBR is majority‑owned by investment group Enic, which holds strong financial ties to Tottenham Hotspur. The football club plans to develop a women’s training academy on 17 hectares adjacent to the park, a proposal opposed by the local campaign group Guardians of Whitewebbs. The group has secured a judicial review of the planning permission, set for June. In a statement last April, MBR asserted that its “specialist arboriculture contractors” deemed the split and dead wood a serious health‑and‑safety risk. A Toby Carvery spokesperson declined further comment, citing ongoing legal proceedings. The revelation of Ground Control’s involvement adds a new layer to the controversy, raising questions about corporate responsibility, environmental stewardship, and the adequacy of legal protections for historic trees in urban green spaces.

Tottenham's new head coach, Roberto De Zerbi, has issued an apology for his previous comments on Mason Greenwood, the Marseille forward who faced charges of attempted rape and assault in 2022. De Zerbi faced backlash from fan groups, including Proud Lilywhites, Women of the Lane, and Spurs Reach, due to his remarks about Greenwood. In his first interview with Tottenham's in-house media, De Zerbi stated, 'I have never wanted to downplay the issue of violence against women or violence against anyone more broadly.' He emphasized his commitment to standing up for vulnerable individuals and expressed regret for any offense caused by his previous statements. 'I am sorry if I offended anyone's feeling with this subject matter – I have a daughter and I'm very sensitive to these things, and I always have been.' Greenwood was charged in October 2022 but the charges were dropped in February 2023 due to a lack of witnesses and new evidence. He has since joined Marseille and denied the allegations. De Zerbi's appointment as Tottenham's head coach was met with criticism from the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust, who expressed 'serious and far-reaching concerns' over his comments on Greenwood.

The football world witnessed a significant managerial move as Roberto De Zerbi checked in at Tottenham Hotspur, bringing new hope to the English Premier League club. This development comes on the heels of Italian heartbreak, though specific details of the Italian football scenario are not provided.The appointment of De Zerbi, known for his tactical acumen and ability to develop young players, is seen as a strategic move by Tottenham to boost their performance in the highly competitive Premier League. De Zerbi's managerial style, which emphasizes possession football and attacking flair, is expected to bring a new dynamic to the team.While the article does not delve into the specifics of the Italian football heartbreak, it is clear that the football landscape is always filled with drama, both on and off the pitch. The move to Tottenham is a significant chapter in De Zerbi's managerial career, offering him a platform to showcase his skills in one of the world's most popular leagues.

Tottenham Hotspur has officially announced the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi as their new head coach, signing him to a five-year contract. The Italian manager, renowned for his daring and aggressive possession-based approach, faces a significant challenge as he takes over with the club precariously positioned just above the relegation zone.Spurs are set to play seven matches to end the season, with their next fixture scheduled against Sunderland on the upcoming Sunday. Notably, De Zerbi's contract does not include any break clause in the event of Tottenham being relegated.De Zerbi expressed his delight in joining the club, stating, “I am delighted to be joining this fantastic football club, which is one of the biggest and most prestigious in the world. In all my discussions with the club’s leadership, their ambition for the future has been clear – to build a team capable of reaching great achievements and to do that playing a style of football that excites and inspires our supporters.”The appointment of De Zerbi comes after Igor Tudor, the interim manager, parted ways with the club by mutual consent. Tudor had taken over temporarily following the departure of Thomas Frank on February 14.De Zerbi previously managed Brighton & Hove Albion, where he achieved significant success, leading the club to a sixth-place finish in the Premier League and qualification for the Europa League. His tenure at Marseille also yielded impressive results, with a second-place finish in Ligue 1 and Champions League qualification.Despite his successes, De Zerbi is also known for his volatile personality and has had public disagreements with players and clubs in the past. The immediate concern for Spurs will be whether De Zerbi can adapt quickly and lead the team to avoid relegation.

The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust has issued a scathing statement on the club’s recent appointment of Roberto De Zerbi as head coach on a five‑year contract. The Trust says the move places a heavy strain on unity while the team fights to avoid relegation from the Premier League. Central to the criticism is De Zerbi’s public endorsement of Mason Greenwood during his tenure at Marseille. Greenwood, a former England forward, faced serious criminal allegations in 2022—including attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The Crown Prosecution Service discontinued the case in February 2023 after key witnesses withdrew and new material emerged, though Greenwood has consistently denied the charges. De Zerbi described Greenwood as a “good person” and expressed sympathy for the player, remarks that were swiftly condemned by supporter groups such as Proud Lilywhites (the club’s LGBTQI+ association) and Women of the Lane. The Trust noted it had reached out to Tottenham before the appointment to voice its opposition. “While we recognise the limited pool of managers with recent Premier League experience, this appointment raises serious and far‑reaching concerns,” the Trust said. “De Zerbi’s comments about Mason Greenwood were unnecessary, ill‑judged, and deeply offensive to many supporters, and will alarm victims of male violence.” The Trust warned that unchecked statements could create a divide among supporters at a time when the club’s “All Together, Always” initiative is meant to rally fans behind the team. It called on Tottenham and De Zerbi to publicly reaffirm their commitment to equality, respect and integrity, and to back those words with concrete actions, including sustained support for women’s charities fighting violence. Tottenham have been contacted for comment.

Tottenham Hotspur has confirmed the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi as their new head coach on a five-year contract. The Italian manager, described by Pep Guardiola as “one of the most influential managers in the last 20 years,” joins Spurs after a successful stint at Brighton & Hove Albion.De Zerbi's appointment comes at a crucial time for Tottenham, who have struggled in recent seasons. His predecessor, Igor Tudor, had a disastrous interim spell, and the team is in need of a new direction. De Zerbi's managerial style, characterized by energetic pressing and fast transitions, has drawn praise from fans and pundits alike.During his time at Brighton, De Zerbi led the club to a sixth-place finish in the Premier League and secured European football for the first time. His success at Brighton has created high expectations, and Tottenham fans will be hoping he can replicate this success at Spurs.However, De Zerbi's departure from Brighton was marked by controversy, as he fell out with the club's owner, Tony Bloom, over squad recruitment. This has raised concerns about his ability to work with the Spurs hierarchy.De Zerbi's appointment is seen as a gamble by the Spurs hierarchy, given his tendency to shoot from the hip and his history of disagreements with Brighton’s owner. Nevertheless, his ambitious and influential managerial style has generated excitement among Tottenham fans.The 46-year-old Italian manager will have no time to implement his favoured 4-2-3-1 system with only seven games remaining to ensure Premier League survival. Assurances of major summer investment to reshape the squad to his vision will be a prerequisite for success.At a club that has been drifting for some time, perhaps De Zerbi can give Tottenham some desperately needed new direction. His ability to adapt to a new country and team was evident during his time at Marseille, where he led the team to second place in Ligue 1.

Tottenham Hotspur Football Club is embroiled in a desperate bid to avoid a financially ruinous slide into the Championship. The club's current predicament is a result of internal sabotage, leadership burdens, and immense dissatisfaction among the rank and file. With only seven games remaining in the Premier League season, Spurs are searching for their third head coach of the season, having already seen off Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor. The club's hierarchy appears to be acting with a sense of urgency, but their approach has been chaotic and improvisational, with one ill-judged managerial appointment following another. Roberto De Zerbi, currently managing Brighton, has emerged as a potential candidate, despite reservations from three separate fan groups due to his public backing of Mason Greenwood during his time at Marseille. De Zerbi's managerial CV is marked by occasional incidents of insubordination, making him an unconventional choice for a team in crisis. However, he is believed to be interested in taking over at Spurs, albeit preferring to do so in the summer. The club is reportedly offering him tempting financial inducements to take the reins immediately and navigate the team through the relegation battle. The stakes are high, with Spurs currently hovering just one place and point above the drop zone. A winless season so far in 2026 has put the club on the brink of disaster. The next managerial appointment will be crucial in determining the club's fate, and fans will be anxiously waiting to see if the hierarchy can make the right decision.

Mauricio Pochettino has distanced himself from speculation linking him to a return to Tottenham Hotspur, stating his full focus is on leading the US men's national team at the upcoming World Cup. Despite being linked to the Spurs managerial role, Pochettino emphasized his commitment to his current position.Pochettino, who led Spurs to significant successes during his tenure from 2014-2019, expressed confidence that his former club will avoid relegation, despite their challenging season. He cited the team's talented players and passionate fans as key factors in their likely survival.With Tottenham hovering just above the relegation zone and seven matches remaining, Pochettino's comments offer a boost to the club's morale. The team is reportedly close to appointing Roberto De Zerbi as their new manager, with a long-term contract on the table.Pochettino also left open the possibility of extending his stay with the US men's national team, stating that discussions about his future will take place after the World Cup. For now, his priority remains the team's upcoming friendly against Portugal.

Tottenham Hotspur is on the verge of appointing Roberto De Zerbi as their new manager following productive talks on Monday. The Italian coach has emerged as the club's top choice to replace Igor Tudor, who left his interim position on Sunday after failing to improve the team's form.De Zerbi, who recently parted ways with Marseille, is now the only viable candidate for the role, with Spurs not engaging with other potential candidates. The club aims to secure his services on a long-term contract, believing he can help them stay in the Premier League and build for the next season.The potential appointment of De Zerbi could also impact Mauricio Pochettino's chances of returning to the club. Pochettino, currently managing the US national team, had been considered for an emotional return to Spurs in the summer, but De Zerbi's possible arrival might rule out that move.De Zerbi's backing of Mason Greenwood during his time at Marseille has raised concerns among some Tottenham supporter groups. Greenwood was charged with attempted rape and assault in 2022, although the case was later discontinued. Despite these concerns, Spurs seem willing to overlook them to secure De Zerbi's appointment.The situation at Tottenham is critical, with the team currently one point and one place above the relegation zone and having gone 13 league matches without a win – their worst run since the 1934-35 season. De Zerbi's task would be to turn the team's fortunes around and secure their Premier League status.