Not sure what is more surprising. That Daniel Levy fired Mauricio Pochettino six months after he took Spurs to a Champions League final, or that he replaced him with the anti-Pochettino in Jose Mourinho?
The former Chelsea and Manchester United boss has signed a contract until the end of the 2022-23 season.
Commenting on the appointment Levy said:
“In Jose we have one of the most successful managers in football. He has a wealth of experience, can inspire teams and is a great tactician. He has won honours at every club he has coached. We believe he will bring energy and belief to the dressing room.”
Speaking on his appointment, Mourinho said:
“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.”
Mourinho is a serial winner, and that was a knock on Pochettino. He did a great job turning Spurs around, with four consecutive seasons in the Champions League, but he never won anything.
The signing of Mourinho signals a change in direction for Levy and Spurs. This is the first time in Tottenham’s history that they have appointed a manager of Mourinho’s pedigree, he has won 25 trophies in his managerial career.
But success with Mourinho is a two-edged sword. He prioritizes winning now over the long-term which is the opposite of the Pochettino approach, who emphasized promoting young players through the ranks.
Also, Pochettino was loved by the British media, and there has been little public pressure on him for Spurs bad start to the season. The press hates Jose after his spells at Chelsea at Manchester United, which will make for a very toxic situation if the Special One gets off to a slow start.
