Tottenham have started their Europa League campaign impressively, with two wins in their first two group matches, solidifying their status as serious contenders.
As they gear up for their third fixture against AZ Alkmaar, former Spurs boss Jose Mourinho has thrown his weight behind his old club, naming them one of the favourites to win the competition.
Mourinho, now managing Fenerbahce, didn’t mince words when asked who he thinks are the strongest teams in the tournament.
He named Tottenham and Manchester United as the two clear frontrunners to win the tournament, underlining the superiority of Premier League clubs.
As quoted by Metro, Mourinho said:
“If I have to say now which are the two biggest candidates to win the Europa League, I think it’s easy – Man United and Tottenham.
“The Premier League is a different level of quality, it’s a different level of intensity, it’s a different level of pace, it’s a different level of tactical culture, it’s a different level of everything.”
Tottenham’s current Europa League form shows signs of real promise. Even in their tricky match day two against Ferencvárosi, where they secured a win despite a lower expected goals (xG), the squad demonstrated resilience.
With Postecoglou aiming for his first piece of silverware at Spurs, and star players like Heung-min Son and Dejan Kulusevski in excellent form, the North London club are in a prime position to deliver.
Mourinho’s endorsement comes with an understanding of Spurs’ potential, especially with Ange Postecoglou at the helm.
The Australian manager has injected a refreshing style into the squad, blending high-energy football with tactical intelligence.
He has made a significant impact at the club in a short time, earning praise from fans and pundits. In fact, Manchester United legend Paul Scholes recently claimed that he is good enough to manage Real Madrid.
Jose Mourinho’s time at Tottenham
During his own time at Tottenham, Mourinho had a turbulent spell, defined by both results and frustrations. After taking over from Mauricio Pochettino in 2019, Mourinho made an immediate impact, winning his first match 3-2 against West Ham.
However, despite leading Spurs to a League Cup final in 2021, the club surprised everyone with their decision to sack him just days before the final against Manchester City. Mourinho even recently took a dig at Spurs for their bizarre decision.
Mourinho’s belief in their chances only amplifies the growing excitement around Spurs’ Europa League journey this season.
