Roberto de Zerbi is determined to transform Tottenham Hotspur's fortunes after guiding the club through a harrowing relegation scare last season, one that culminated in players in tears on the dressing room floor following his opening match in charge, a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland.
The Italian coach recalled asking his squad at the time, "Did we pass away?" as he tried to process the despair gripping the group. That was the first of seven matches De Zerbi needed to keep Spurs afloat in the Premier League, with safety only confirmed on the final day of the season.
Four months later, the mood has shifted dramatically. On Tottenham's pre-season tour in Sydney, De Zerbi's players have been relaxed, enjoying coffee from a private barista and competing in table tennis matches as the club integrates a wave of new arrivals worth a club-record £237m.
Among the summer signings are Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, Jan Paul van Hecke, Andrew Robertson and Martin Dubravka, all of whom featured during the tour of Australia and New Zealand. Marcos Senesi, fresh off representing Argentina in the World Cup final, was given extended leave and has only recently begun training at Hotspur Way.
"I deserve to want the top players, because now Tottenham deserves to build up a top team," De Zerbi said, reflecting on the ambition driving the club's rebuild.
The manager revealed that Spurs had prepared two contrasting transfer strategies last season — one in case of relegation, another for survival — and is relieved to now be operating under the more optimistic plan. He also spoke of respecting the wishes of senior figures such as captain Cristian Romero and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, both of whom could still depart. De Zerbi joked about holding individual meetings with players in April, telling them: "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."
The club has undergone significant structural change, with chief executive Vinai Venkatesham now leading operations on behalf of the Lewis Family Trust, working alongside technical director Johan Lange — the only senior holdover from the previous regime — plus new additions Rafi Moersen and performance director Dan Lewindon, both arriving from Manchester City's parent company.
De Zerbi has been heavily involved in the transfer market himself, describing his approach to signings in vivid terms. "When I want one player, I become like a shark. No chance to say no," he said, crediting that mentality for record deals bringing in Fernandes from West Ham for £85m and Tonali from Newcastle for £100m.
He detailed personal efforts to secure both players, including speaking directly with Fernandes' parents and telling his father he would act as a "second dad" to the young midfielder in England. For Tonali, De Zerbi described texting him the day after Spurs' survival was confirmed and later meeting him at his home in Brescia for a pivotal conversation.
De Zerbi also revealed he personally messaged Van Hecke after the defender assisted a stoppage-time Brighton equaliser in April that damaged Tottenham's survival hopes, telling him he would have no choice but to join Spurs. The club also fended off interest from Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City to complete several deals.
Despite the substantial spending, including a £100m injection from the Lewis family in June, De Zerbi insisted the club is not acting recklessly, comparing the investment to similar moves by Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool. He also confirmed Spurs chose not to sign Joao Palhinha permanently from Bayern Munich due to the financial terms, despite valuing the player.
Beyond the transfer business, De Zerbi has focused on rebuilding morale, organizing team dinners and banning negativity among staff. "With love, friendship and care, you become top, top, top," he said, expressing hope that the healing from last season's trauma continues as Tottenham look to challenge for honors once again.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.