Timing can make or break a footballer's career, and for Conor Gallagher and Tottenham Hotspur, the odds seemed stacked against them. The midfielder arrived at the North London club in January, having completed a £35 million move from Atlético Madrid, only to see head coach Thomas Frank dismissed weeks later. Igor Tudor took over, and Gallagher later admitted that Tudor "wasn't having me" as a player while the team fought to avoid relegation.
Those were dark days for Spurs, and Gallagher struggled to see a way out of the slump. Everything began to shift when Roberto De Zerbi was appointed as the new head coach. Under his guidance, Tottenham steered clear of the drop and secured their Premier League status, with Gallagher playing a modest but meaningful role.
In an emotional interview on the final day of the season, he confessed that he had not yet been able to fully demonstrate his abilities to the fans. Now, however, he believes the moment has arrived to write the next chapter of his Spurs story. "It's time to push on and show the supporters what I can bring," Gallagher told Sky Sports.
"I want to perform at my highest level and help the club reach the position we know we belong in." He went on to acknowledge that every footballer faces personal challenges and tough periods, noting, "Life is full of ups and downs, everyone has problems, but I'm grateful we got through it and I finished the season on a good note." Looking ahead, Gallagher hopes this is merely the beginning of his tenure at Tottenham. "Hopefully this is only the start of my Spurs career," he said, his tone more confident than the one heard during the relegation battle. A noticeable change can be seen in Gallagher when he steps out into the sunshine a few weeks before the new campaign kicks off. Much of that optimism stems from De Zerbi, who arrived at the club in March and immediately set about reshaping the squad's mindset.
Gallagher explained that his improvement was largely a matter of confidence and, to a lesser extent, physical conditioning that comes from regular game time. "I wasn't used to that level of consistency before," he admitted.
De Zerbi's reputation for demanding intensity is well‑known, and Gallagher confessed that their first meeting was a bit intimidating. "He seemed a little scary at first, but after a while you realise he's actually a very nice guy," Gallagher said. "You just can't mess about – you have to train hard, give 100 percent and do the right things." He praised the Italian manager’s belief in his players, noting that De Zerbi constantly encourages them to trust his vision.
"He always says, 'if you listen to me, stick with me and believe, we'll be fine.'" That mantra helped the team survive a precarious season, and Gallagher believes the manager's confidence is contagious. "He expects everyone to be on board, and that energy spreads throughout the squad," Gallagher added.
De Zerbi’s own words about Gallagher illustrate the shift in perception. During a pre‑season press conference in Sydney, the coach said that when Gallagher is at his best, it feels as if Tottenham have an extra player on the pitch – a stark contrast to the months when the midfielder was struggling for minutes. Gallagher smiled at the compliment.
"It's nice to hear that," he said. "I always try to give my best when I'm on the field.
I feel I'm entering the prime years of my career after experiencing several clubs and loving every moment. Now I want a bigger role, to lead by example both on and off the pitch." Tottenham have thrown their weight behind De Zerbi this summer, completing nearly £200 million in signings, all with Premier League experience. Early arrivals such as Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and Andy Robertson have already begun to gel, giving the manager a foundation to build upon.
For De Zerbi, fostering relationships is as crucial as tactical work, and Gallagher enjoys the camaraderie that comes with team bonding activities. "We have a great group of players, and the gaffer loves a team dinner, a few drinks, a night out together," he said. That sense of unity was on display in a pre‑season clash against Chelsea, a fierce rival and Gallagher’s former club. A hard tackle on Dario Essugo drew a laugh from the midfielder as he held his head in mock embarrassment.
"The challenge looked worse than it was," Gallagher explained. "I had no intention of hurting anyone." De Zerbi’s philosophy centers on dominance – controlling possession, dictating the tempo and, ultimately, winning every match.
"He wants us to dominate every opponent if we play the right way and with the right mentality," Gallagher noted. The manager’s ambition is clear: to transform Tottenham into a side that can compete with the league’s elite, moving beyond the two consecutive 17th‑place finishes that have haunted the club. As the new season approaches, the football world will watch to see how far De Zerbi can take Spurs and how Gallagher fits into that vision. "It feels perfect here," Gallagher concluded.
"Maybe now is really my time at Tottenham."