From no wins in 15 to three wins in five – and an eight-week masterclass that saved Tottenham Hotspur from a first relegation in 49 years.
There were only 54 days between Roberto De Zerbi‘s appointment in March and the 1-0 win over Everton that secured Spurs’ Premier League status for another season, but throughout them his players have raved about his positivity and passion to fight, giving them the extra impetus they required in their battle for survival.
The Italian’s ‘bright and breezy’ attitude to training and to the group was seen as the perfect antidote to the austere regime of Igor Tudor, which had brought a cloud over proceedings for several first-teamers and a sense of ‘impending doom’. Tudor had an abrasive manner which was viewed as demeaning to some of the players and his tactical decisions, substitutions and tinkering merely depleted confidence rather than built it.
It wasn’t always sunshine and rainbows under De Zerbi – there have been a few dressing-downs issued – but they’ve been few and far between, and aimed at motivating players to give their all. The manager’s emotional intelligence was seen as a key factor, going from the abrasive Tudor to a man who knew exactly what the players and staff needed – positivity and belief.
‘I was low on confidence,’ admitted January signing Conor Gallagher. ‘The last gaffer wasn’t having me and the fans didn’t think I was any good.’
De Zerbi knew the Gallagher of old from watching him play key roles for Chelsea and the ultra-competitive Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid. After a couple of up-tempo training sessions, De Zerbi reasoned that the 26-year-old’s high-energy style would be perfect in a more advanced role to set the tone for the high press he wanted to instigate in games.
Roberto De Zerbi knew the Conor Gallagher of old from watching him play key roles for Chelsea and the ultra-competitive Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid
His faith in Gallagher paid off in a vital 2-1 win over Aston Villa, with the Englishman firing in a long-range strike to give Spurs the lead
After the tepid surrenders under Tudor and Thomas Frank, De Zerbi turned defence into attack by putting Spurs’ opponents on the back foot, switching the pressure. His reward came with their pivotal 2-1 win over Aston Villa, the team Gallagher had turned down to join Spurs for £35million from Atletico in January.
‘I’ve not really been able to speak to anyone in the last few months,’ said Gallagher, who opened the…