Roberto De Zerbi has not forgotten how rival clubs "wanted to kill" Tottenham during last season's relegation battle, but is ready to set "big ambitions" for his new-look team.
A final-day victory over Everton in May ensured Spurs' survival, but owners the Lewis family promised "actions" would follow and a huge rebuild has occurred.
Tottenham's spending will pass the £300 million ($409 million) mark when Savinho joins from Manchester City and Omar Marmoush is expected to follow, the Press Association understands, but De Zerbi has laughed off criticism before Saturday's opener at Brentford.
"For me, no pressure and it's not a problem. I don't know why the people don't love if Tottenham becomes better. It's one motivation more for us. Last season, all other clubs wanted to kill us," De Zerbi said.
"If we have to push, then I will be the first to push to fix the target higher, but now is not the right moment.
"Now is the moment to think about Brentford, to complete the transfer market and then to make the point and follow the two targets I set: to find the soul and the style of play.
"Then we can fix what target you want, without arrogance but also with big ambitions because this is Tottenham, not another smaller team."
De Zerbi hinted at those targets during Friday's press conference when he stated Spurs must play in a European competition every season and acknowledged there is "big potential" for this squad to challenge for major honours.
This summer's spending spree, led by De Zerbi along with sporting director Johan Lange, chief executive Vinai Venkatesham and director of football operations Rafi Moersen, is at odds with the prudent ideology of former chairman Daniel Levy, who left after 24 years last September.
"I just can say, in my experience, they kept their word, they kept what they said before I came in March," De Zerbi explained.
"But what we are doing is not for the coach, it's for the club, for the fans, for the history of the club, for the pride of the club and for the level of the club.
"I think this moment is crucial for this club, because after two seasons like we did, we have to change the mood, completely change it, give a boost.
"And then I think when we have finished in this transfer market, for a long time we don't need many things and we can work all together in the right condition, in the right direction, to build step by step something special.
"Or anyway to go to compete for the top of the table. Not maybe now, or maybe yes? I don't know, but we have the squad to play in every stadium in the right way.
"We know we have to improve. We have to become a team, but I think we also have all the qualities to do that."
Tottenham's big outlay has been balanced by Cristian Romero, Djed Spence and Luka Vuskovic departing for sizeable fees and numerous talented young players like Will Lankshear have left, but Lucas Bergvall is expected to stay.
De Zerbi said: "Lucas Bergvall, 100% (staying). We spoke a lot in pre-season. He's a top player, a top potential player. I like he stays but I think now he wants to stay."
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