José Mourinho didn’t read the script; he was supposed to go away quietly and not bother Tottenham Hotspur Football Club ever again. Shamed, shunned, and tossed back to from whence he came. In truth, the Portuguese certainly appeared on the face of it stunned with Levy’s position, and the two were said to have a prolonged meeting before the coach then went about saying goodbye personally to the squad. We know that José remains closely in touch with Harry Kane to this day.
Mourinho within days announced a series of punditry posts he had accepted with major broadcasters, and the Special One had no intentions of licking his wounds. In fact, José was appointed by Roma in double-quick time. Operation bounce-back was completed in under ten days.
Jamie Redknapp suggested that Levy specifically pulled the trigger on the then Spurs gaffer before the cup final in order to save money, but whatever the rationale was, hearts sank in the fanbase. Who acts like that, just days before such a major event? Tottenham predictably lost, and one might say that Mourinho hasn’t looked back – but in truth he has.
Part and parcel of maintaining his reputation is squaring disinformation, and speaking this week, Manchester United and Tottenham have both been left with bloodied noses with these quotes from the Mail Online.
‘I won three trophies at Manchester United and that was seen as a disaster,’
‘I reached a cup Final which I was not allowed to play at Tottenham, and that was seen as a disaster.
‘What’s a disaster for me is considered as a great success for others.
I take a view that winning is the metric in professional sports and this explains, quite succinctly, why Mourinho is and always shall be a winner, no matter how loudly the losers might care to howl.
The cries of Manchester United fans make me laugh the most. ‘He left the club in a dreadful state’ is a common refrain.
So did Sir Alex, you poor wet hens, so did Sir Alex.
Daniel Levy threw a cup final. Another few words to add to an already lengthy epitaph.
