De Zerbi’s ‘ultra’ roots and the Brescia connection at Spurs
Roberto de Zerbi’s upbringing among Brescia’s most devoted supporters is presented as an influence on the Tottenham manager’s intense footballing ethos and the club’s recent revival. The article links that background to Spurs’ record signing Sandro Tonali, who also developed at Brescia, as both men reflect on the turmoil affecting their former club.
Brescia Calcio was excluded from professional football last summer amid debts and was wound up by a court this week, while Union Brescia has assumed the city’s footballing mantle. Tonali’s £100m transfer could have generated about £3.5m for Brescia Calcio through Fifa’s solidarity scheme, although reports that the money might help revive the old club now appear unlikely; Tonali and De Zerbi recently discussed Brescia’s difficulties.
- De Zerbi and Tonali share formative links to Brescia.
- Brescia Calcio has been wound up after financial collapse.
- Tonali’s £100m move highlighted a possible solidarity payment.
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Roberto de Zerbi is Tottenham's manager and grew up as a devoted supporter of Brescia, an Italian football club in the north of the country. His attachment to Brescia in his formative years has shaped his intense approach to football, a background that helps explain his management philosophy at Spurs.
Brescia Calcio faced severe financial troubles and was excluded from professional football last summer, with the club formally wound up by court order this week. A new entity called Union Brescia has since emerged to continue football in the city, but the original club no longer exists as a professional organisation.
Sandro Tonali, Tottenham's record signing, also developed as a player at Brescia before progressing to the highest level of the game. Both Tonali and de Zerbi have recently discussed the difficulties affecting their former club, a place that shaped their early footballing careers.