The removal from post of Mourinho to me signalled not the end of the Special One, but the end of the charade that Daniel Levy’s charade at Tottenham is in some, in any way working. The belief in players, many of whom are time expired and unexceptional is in my view badly ill-judged and ultimately destructive, ultimately not in the best interests of a football club.
Of course, come half past six this evening all these words could look intensely foolish. However, my view of football is a little broader than one game. Should Ryan Mason win the cup, then it will be very much his achievement. Aided by a squad wanting to show the world who knew better, but as the coach, even one just week into the job, it will be his win.
The Athletic reveals a list of gripes which are either poorly worded or thin on substance. At least Donald Trump’s haters were able to point to a few solid examples of his uttering hurty words, opposed to making inferences as to his unsuitability for office.
I look at this charge sheet and can’t help but wonder where the entitlement came from, for players who had in the main won nothing, achieved nothing, to feel so put upon by a man who had spent his entire career winning. Not competing, not this, nor the other, just winning.
The charge that made me laugh out loud was the bit about ‘stopping the opposition’ – fair comment or foul? Well, nobody has seen a Premier League concede winning positions so frequently in our entire lives.
Of course, these mumbles of discontent existed under Pochettino too. So there’s a case to be made that some of the current squad aren’t happy with anyone telling them what to do.
Dumping Mourinho could well be the making of this Spurs side. Beating Manchester City could be just the springboard to the sort of greatness we all want to see.
It’s a pity these players couldn’t turn it on against Dinamo Zagreb, as a Europa League Cup might have actually been easier to obtain without facing Man City.
Spurs lose today, and the ramifications for Daniel Levy will be increasingly uncomfortable ones. There are many – not me incidentally – that are still waiting for an apology for the European Super League business.
Who would be a masterclass grade businessman, eh?