Timing can make or break a footballer’s career, and for Conor Gallagher and Tottenham Hotspur, the clock has not been kind. The midfielder arrived at the North London club in January, having been signed from Atletico Madrid for a reported £35 million.
Within a matter of weeks, the managerial landscape shifted dramatically when Thomas Frank was dismissed and replaced by Igor Tudor. Gallagher later admitted that Tudor "wasn't having me" as a player, a sentiment that mirrored the club’s struggle to stave off relegation. Those early months were fraught with uncertainty, and the young Englishman found himself unable to see a clear path out of the club’s slump.
The arrival of Roberto De Zerbi as head coach in March marked a turning point. Under De Zerbi’s guidance, Tottenham avoided the drop to the Championship, and Gallagher contributed to that survival, though he confessed in an emotional post‑match interview on the final day that he still hadn’t fully showcased his abilities to the Spurs faithful. Now, with a new season looming, Gallagher believes the moment has arrived to write the next chapter of his Tottenham story.
"It’s time to kick on and show the fans what I can do," he told Sky Sports. "I want to be at my best and help the club reach the level we know we belong at.
Every player goes through tough periods – life throws challenges at us all – but I’m grateful we’ve come through and I finished the season on a positive note. I hope this is just the beginning of my Spurs career." The optimism in his voice is a stark contrast to the gloom that characterised his early days at the club, and much of that renewed confidence can be credited to De Zerbi.
Gallagher explained that the shift was largely a matter of belief and match fitness. "For me it was mainly a confidence issue, and a bit of a physical thing that comes from playing more regularly.
I wasn’t used to that at the time," he said. De Zerbi’s approach restored some of that self‑assurance, allowing Gallagher to earn more consistent minutes on the pitch. "A lot of credit goes to the manager, but for him it’s only the start as well," Gallagher added, acknowledging that the project is still in its infancy.
De Zerbi’s reputation for demanding intensity was evident from their first meeting. Gallagher admitted he felt a little intimidated: "He was a bit scary the first time we met, but after a while it changed.
He’s actually a very nice person, but you can’t mess around. You have to train hard, give 100 per cent and do the right things." The Italian coach, Gallagher noted, exudes belief in his players, fostering a culture where confidence is cultivated and effort is rewarded. "He always said, ‘If you listen to me, stick with me and believe in me, we’ll be fine.’ That was the message when we were in a difficult situation last season. He has full belief in himself and needs everyone on board for it to work, and everyone is responding to his leadership." De Zerbi’s praise for Gallagher has been equally uplifting.
During a pre‑season press conference in Sydney, the manager remarked that when Gallagher is at his best, it feels as if Tottenham have an extra player on the field – a dramatic reversal from the months when the midfielder was fighting for minutes. Gallagher smiled at the compliment and reflected on his career trajectory: "It’s nice. I always try to give my best whenever I’m on the pitch.
I feel like I’m entering my prime years now. I’ve already played for several clubs and had amazing experiences, and I loved every team I represented. Now I want a bigger role, lead by example both on and off the field." Tottenham have thrown their full support behind De Zerbi this summer, completing a flurry of signings that totalled close to £200 million, all featuring Premier League experience.
Early arrivals such as Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and Andy Robertson have begun to gel, providing a solid foundation for the new manager’s vision. For De Zerbi, forging strong relationships is as crucial as assembling a talented squad, and Gallagher emphasised how much he enjoys the team‑bonding aspects of the job.
"We have a great group of players, and the gaffer loves it – team dinners, a few drinks, a night out together. It helps build chemistry," he said.
That camaraderie was on display in a pre‑season friendly against Chelsea, a club that holds a special place in Gallagher’s heart as his former side. The match turned fiery when Gallagher made a hard tackle on Dario Essugo, prompting him to hold his head in his hands and laugh afterward.
"The tackle looked worse than it was. I had no intention of hurting anyone," he explained. The incident highlighted De Zerbi’s philosophy: dominance through possession and control. "He wants us to dominate every game, to have the ball, to dictate play.
Of course he wants us to win – any manager does – but he believes we can dominate any opponent if we play the right way with the right mindset." Looking ahead, the question remains how far De Zerbi’s ideas can take Tottenham after two consecutive 17th‑place finishes. Gallagher’s own trajectory will be a key storyline.
"It feels perfect here," he concluded, hinting that the midfielder finally feels at home. With renewed confidence, a supportive manager, and a squad reinforced by significant investment, Gallagher appears ready to seize his moment at Spurs and help the club aim for a higher finish than the narrow escapes of recent seasons. The upcoming campaign promises to be a compelling test of both his and De Zerbi’s ambitions.