The London side endured a chaotic campaign, only securing their top-flight status on the final day of the season with a narrow 1-0 home victory over Everton.
Spurs’ turbulent year also saw multiple managerial changes and a 15-match winless run, just one short of the club’s worst-ever winless league streak, which dates back 91 years.
For Sandro, who spent four years at Tottenham, the situation is almost unrecognisable compared to the side he once represented regularly in European competition.
Nonetheless, he insists the painful experience must now be used as a foundation for rebuilding, particularly in the transfer market, where the club must act more decisively moving forward.
"I think it was important for everybody to feel the pain of being down there, because at Tottenham, we never felt that before,” Sandro told Flashscore.com exclusively via Noxwin.com.
"For me, I played there at Tottenham for four years and… oh my god, we were always in the top four, top five. Now, to have the feeling of nearly being relegated, it was crazy.
"I was dying every single game, my heart, oh my god, it was so, so difficult to be in that position this season.
"I think now it's a chance for us to build again, and to be more thoughtful, let's do early things, let's track the players, let's buy players and buy them early, because I think this season we left it until the end of the transfer market to sign everybody.
"We were there, like with (Eberechi) Eze, we were going to buy him, and then we didn't. But we needed to buy early, so we now need to do everything earlier on before the season."
De Zerbi appointment a 'clever move' by Spurs
Thomas Frank began the season in charge of the three-time Europa League winners, but was later dismissed and replaced by Igor Tudor.
However, Tudor’s short spell failed to improve results, lasting just 44 days as the club remained deep in trouble.
The arrival of Roberto de Zerbi at the end of March changed Spurs’ fortunes, as the Londoners picked up 11 points from their final six matches, which was enough to secure their Premier League survival.
Sandro praised the appointment of the Italian tactician, describing it as a masterstroke by the club.
"The most important thing here is to have de Zerbi, to have the guy that has a plan. I think Tottenham did that, did their early business, by signing de Zerbi," the 37-year-old continued.
"Everybody in the media was saying, ‘oh, a five-year contract’, blah, blah, blah… if they go down… but Tottenham made a very clever move, because having de Zerbi now, it's… wow!
"If Tottenham had waited to go and get de Zerbi now, it would have been impossible to sign him as the manager for Tottenham after the season.
"He would probably have signed with another club. So, we have de Zerbi now, we have the idea, the style of play, and now it's just getting the players, but the most important thing is that we have a style now."
Sandro: Building is priority for Spurs
As preparations for next season take centre stage, Tottenham have already made significant progress in strengthening their defence, with the imminent arrivals of Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi.
Talks are also continuing over moves for Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke and Manchester City winger Savinho as the Londoners look to reshape the squad.
Asked whether a top-four finish is realistic next season or if the club should instead focus on a longer rebuilding process, Sandro, who enjoyed spells at Genoa and Udinese, urged patience, especially with the manager and the ongoing rebuilding project.
"Well, it's a good question because we could be in the Top 4! We could. Because what Tottenham is and because of what Tottenham has already, but it is a long shot!
"Let's focus on rebuilding. Rebuilding the squad, giving time for the players to arrive and rebuild. I think we can put a target of two years to be back in the Champions League.
"Yeah, I said this when de Zerbi signed, because there were a lot of people asking me because they knew about my connection with de Zerbi, and I said, guys, you're going to love de Zerbi... So we need to be behind him, but everybody will love him.
"He has got a great heart. He's the right one for Spurs, the right coach for us, and he will give us so many good memories in the years ahead.
"So just trust in him, but this season will be better. It will be much better than what he did in the seven games at the end of last season.”
Here is a smoother rewrite:
Tottenham will begin their pre-season tour with a match against Auckland FC on July 26th at Eden Park. It will be Spurs’ second visit to New Zealand, having last toured the country in 1976.
They will then travel to Australia to face Sydney FC on July 29th, before taking on London rivals Chelsea on August 1st.
