Tonali’s decision to join Tottenham
Sandro Tonali has explained his decision to join Tottenham Hotspur, highlighting his relationship with manager Roberto De Zerbi and their shared connection to the Italian club Brescia as key factors. The Italian midfielder completed a club-record transfer to the north London side from Newcastle United this summer. The deal could be worth as much as £100m if add-ons are achieved, surpassing the £85m spent on Mateus Fernandes earlier that week.
Tonali revealed that a conversation with De Zerbi, which he described as ‘magic’, convinced him to make the move. He stated that their discussions focused on their mutual passion for Brescia. De Zerbi was a boyhood supporter of Brescia and later played for the club, while Tonali began his senior career there.
The Brescia connection and De Zerbi’s pursuit
The connection between Tonali and De Zerbi runs deep, rooted in their shared history with Brescia. Tonali told reporters in Australia that they spoke about Brescia and the difficult situation facing the club, which is reportedly facing bankruptcy after relegation to Serie C. De Zerbi, who was born and raised in Brescia, still visits the city in the summer. His father used to organize away days for Brescia’s ultras, where he observed Tonali’s development from an academy player.
De Zerbi had been tracking Tonali for some time. After learning that Newcastle United might be willing to let Tonali leave, De Zerbi contacted a mutual friend to facilitate communication. He sent a message to his friend, the team manager of Brescia, indicating his interest in Tonali if Tottenham avoided relegation. The friend relayed the message, and Tonali expressed openness to the idea.
The manager closely followed Newcastle’s performance. Tonali played a role in Newcastle’s 3-1 victory against West Ham United on the penultimate weekend of the Premier League season. This result meant Tottenham needed only one point from their final two matches to secure their top-flight status. After a 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge, Tottenham confirmed their place in the 2026-27 season with a 1-0 win on the final Sunday.
Immediately after Tottenham secured their Premier League status, De Zerbi acted quickly. The day after the final game, at 4pm, he messaged Tonali to arrange a meeting. They spoke within 10 minutes, and two days later, De Zerbi traveled to Italy to meet Tonali at his home near Brescia. Tonali mentioned that Brescia is a small city and he had encountered De Zerbi multiple times there, as well as other local figures like Roberto Baggio.
The decision and family considerations
Tonali revealed that he had spoken with another interested club but had no doubts about joining Tottenham, despite their recent brush with relegation. He emphasized the importance of the first impression during these conversations, stating that his impression of Tottenham was very positive. He also consulted with his wife, explaining that they wanted to change their lives, not just for a new city, but for a complete change.
While Tonali had initially preferred a move back to Italy, he explained that no Italian clubs could meet Newcastle’s asking price for the transfer fee, although they could afford his wages. He stated that England became their solution, and he found the “best solution” for his career, happiness, and family in Tottenham. He concluded that after a 10 to 15-minute conversation, he understood Tottenham would be his next team.
The presence of an Italian contingent at Tottenham also played a role. Tonali noted that there are several Italian staff members, including assistant Marcello Quinto, fitness coach Marco Marcattilio, and new strength and conditioning coach Agostino Tibaudi. He also mentioned traveling with fellow Italian player Destiny Udogie. Tonali joked that he now hears as much Italian as English, a change from his three years at Newcastle where he primarily spoke English outside his home.
Tonali expressed his gratitude to Newcastle, describing it as a city that “lives for football.” He ensured that the transfer would result in the best possible deal for his former club, which had supported him through a 10-month ban in 2023 and 2024 for illegal betting. He conveyed to his agent and sporting director Ross Wilson his desire for Newcastle to receive fair compensation, expressing hope for future friendly encounters with the staff.
The move to Tottenham sees Tonali join Mateus Fernandes, who arrived from West Ham. Despite Fernandes being Tottenham’s record signing just days before Tonali, there are high hopes for their midfield partnership. Tonali noted that their relationship off the pitch is already strong, which should aid their understanding on the field. He acknowledged that adapting to a new team’s style can take time but felt confident, stating that he and Fernandes quickly understood the rules of their new formation.
De Zerbi’s vision for the club was a significant factor in Tonali’s decision. The manager reportedly told Tonali that the project would be challenging but perfect for him, the team, and the city, with the potential for a successful season due to the quality of the players. Tonali officially became a Tottenham Hotspur player on July 6.
Source: standard.co.uk