A 1-0 win over Everton on the final day of the season ensured Spurs' safety despite a 3-0 victory for rival West Ham against Leeds United.

West Ham was relegated as Spurs stayed up, delighting former striker and current England captain Kane.

"Congratulations to everyone at the club, especially the fans," Kane said. "Massive fight and result on the final day."

Tottenham was without a player of Kane's calibre, and recruitment was already at the forefront of De Zerbi's mind after guiding Spurs clear of the bottom three.

The former Marseille boss, who told Sky Sports this was "maybe the best performance in my time here", added: "Next season we have to build a top, top, top team."

Continuing on that theme in his post-match news conference, De Zerbi said: "From tonight, we need to build the new team.

"We don't need to change too many players. We have 10, 11, 12 players who are good enough to stay as players and as people. Now we need to complete the squad with the first level of players.

"I suffered too much, but so did the players, the board and the fans, and we can't suffer like this as Tottenham Hotspur."

Everton ensured Tottenham's suffering continued until the final minutes, although Toffees boss David Moyes was unable to do former club West Ham the favour they required.

"[Tottenham] were very powerful in the opening part of the game," Moyes said. "With the crowd, the players were really pumped up. We know about that at Everton, because we've been through it.

"We were resilient enough to stop them from getting too far ahead, and we were probably the better team in the final 20 minutes, but that's all."