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José Mourinho is back in football, back in the Premier League, back in London! While it would’ve been more hilarious/scary if he were appointed at Arsenal, it’s almost as hilarious/scary that he has been appointed at Tottenham Hotspur instead. Less than 24 hours after Mauricio Pochettino was sacked, the news was made official this morning.
Club statement
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 20, 2019
It’s hard to think of a (seemingly) more ill-fitting appointment, even if we consider Mourinho’s recent claims of being a changed man.
Mourinho has signed a 3.5-year contract, through the end of the 2022-23 season. Any odds on him actually seeing that through?
Tottenham are a club with a modest budget, a chairman who has strong opinions, a long term plan and a lot of players agitating over their future. Every one is a red flag when set against the name Jose Mourinho.
— Adam Crafton (@AdamCrafton_) November 19, 2019
In a way, this reminds of Chelsea’s 2012-13 season, when we sacked Roberto Di Matteo just six months after winning the Champions League, only to appoint a most reviled replacement in Rafa Benitez. Spurs’ version of course doesn’t involve a trophy, but Mourinho is roundly despised by most London sides thanks to his Chelsea affiliation (fading ever more).
“I am excited to be joining a Club with such a great heritage and such passionate supporters. The quality in both the squad and the academy excites me. Working with these players is what has attracted me.”
-José Mourinho; source: Tottenham Hotspur FC
Mourinho could of course instill some actual winning mentality in North London after Pochettino’s putting the pressure on tenure, and that could be a terrible outcome. Mourinho at Spurs means that the rest of the league will have to raise their game, Chelsea included.
One thing is for sure, there will be drama, as there always is with José.