Humble Jose is dead and the old Mourinho is back. That’s according to former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson.
Merson famously chats nonsense via Sky Sports but his latest Spurs-related point actually seems fairly valid.
Jose was a miserable git during the latter part of his time at Manchester United, before becoming a beaming ray of sunshine following his appointment by Spurs.
But is he drifting back into his grumpy old ways?
Mourinho subbed off Dele Alli during Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat by Leipzig, before the former MK Dons ace threw a tantrum.
Asked about the incident, Mourinho told the Metro: “I think he was angry with his performance, not with me. I think he understands why I took him off and our performance improved.”
That is in direct contrast to what he said after his first Champions League game for Spurs, in which he hooked Eric Dier on 29 minutes with Olympiakos 2-0 up in N17.
talkSport quoted Mourinho as saying sorry to Dier. He said: “It hurt the player but hurt myself. It’s not easy for the player, but also not easy for myself.
“It’s important that the player understands, and I was lucky that my choice was a with a very intelligent boy and a boy that has very good understanding of what a team is, because I did it for the team.
“I needed at that time a second creative player. I had to do it for the team.
“I apologise for Eric. He knows I did it for the team and not with an intention to hurt him.”
Jose’s different approach with Dele is not Merson’s only piece of evidence to support his theory of the Spurs manager’s regression.
Merson also took issue with Mourinho’s recent claim that a top-four finish with Spurs would eclipse all of his previous achievements with other clubs.
“What the managers of them clubs [Arsenal, Man United and Man City] come out and say what he said that it would be the biggest thing in his career if he got fouth?” Merson told Soccer Saturday.
“Like seriously?! When he first got into the job, he brings Dier off and Dier knows the game. You have got to understand he’s a great player, this and that.
“Forward it one two or three months, he brings Dele Alli off and ‘oh, look how much better we were when he come off’. It’s like back to the old Mourinho way now. It’s like my way or the high way.”
At least the Ladies are giving us something to be happy about. COYFSW!!!!!
Don’t know how much chairman ake pays him but it can’t be much. He drives a banger😂
Boro manager Tom could do a better job. He keeps it simple just like arry. players love him. Spurs can’t have him though. we won’t let him go. When I ask him about it he says “l only want the first team job🌚
First team lost. The youts lost. I expect the PL2 team to lose too. Our ladies won though. Karen hills flying the flag. I really hope this is Burnett’s last season in that role. Morning.
There would have been nothing wrong with the new stadium if investment in new players had been commensurate to it. Instead the new stadium, in terms of football, could become a white elephant, if it hasn’t already.
Sadly when you say next season and style of play I can’t see much changing looking at the last 2-3 months . Really any manager should get till end of next season before getting assesed but just our lack of press and choice of passing ( i.e always safe etc) is enough for me. Not our style at all and no one is enjoying it . Poch has some issues as a young manager but he did do wonders ,the stadium build and enic ruined it all ,when did he ever get 2 players in in a winter break. So sad as a fan knowing we had 2 Mayne 3 decent shots at the title and messed it up over as little as 75mil on new signings etc. If he does go let’s get Nino in he would do great and jump at the chance.
Yep agree.
We were such a good team a couple of seasons ago, playing some of the best football in the league. Now it just seems like a distant memory.
Constant under investment and a lack of any coherent transfer policy has slowly destroyed a project on the pitch that was the envy of 99% of the rest of the league.
I just can’t see where this team is heading right now, we have lost all identity on and off the pitch.
At least if we had a manager that played the game in a positive, energetic manner it might feel like there was some continuity in place.
Arry and Poch have both said ‘it’s Daniel’s club’ after leaving, suggesting that he calls all the shots. Well, if he’s been calling them for the last couple of seasons then who else do you blame for this shocking decline?
Jose has been a great manager in the past using huge budgets and world class squads he had the freedom to adjust to his liking.
I just don’t see him as the right fit at the club with the 17th net spend and the 7th wage bill like Poch was. Using a younger, fresh group of players and moulding them in his image.
There are so many reasons that Jose is a bad fit at Spurs it’s untrue, only Levy would have a blind spot to them when it supposedly suits him.
Not suiting him now though is it? The gamble hasn’t worked, Ropey here we come…
Neither will Maureen’s atrocious football. However, Jose is just a symptom of Levy’s weird regime at Spurs.
What’s Jose even doing there? What’s the current plan? What’s the plan been for 3 seasons? why was Mitchell shown the door? Why allow a perfectly decent side decay through a lack of fresh signings?
Nobody knows, like I say, it’s all very weird. That press officer who watches the manager’s like a hawk in interviews and vets the questions from the journalists. All very Stalinesque…
Who cares what any ex gooner thinks. Especially the old bitter gambling alcoholic who underachieved himself. It must be awkward being merson and constantly having to bump into everyone he mouths off.
They play great football, very easy on the eye.
Yes I rate Nuno and Wilder.
I’d rather have the Wolves manager, Wolves play a better style. I mean, who doesn’t right now? 😂
That’s if he’s still with us next season.
I hope Jose watched the Wolves match today where Nuno will have shown him how to beat Norwich and keep a clean sheet. https://highlightsfootball.net/video/wolverhampton-vs-norwich-city-highlights/
There is absolutely nothing wrong with Jose saying it’s a great achievement this season to finish 4th. The hand he’s been dealt, it will be nothing short of a miracle if we do. Should he say that next season then I will be the one to throw a first stone.
However, there are signs that Jose is drifting into the old grumpy ways. Mainly due to the fact that everything has gone against him. It seems the universe has conspired against him. I think it’s best if we judge Jose during the course of next season. I will be having a very close look at our playing style next season with everyone fit and no one in hospital.
Wrt to Enic and Levy I won’t waste my breath, I will just keep praying for a takeover by owners willing to invest in the team.
And i can afford it, lucky me….maybe ill buy a new dog instead…
Merson is a drunken cont, however he has a point that Jose’s dark side is never far away. Just ike his…
To put the prices up this year is a p.. take. We were over charged for Wembley when we had no choice but fans did it in droves to support the boys…..prices have gone up 64%…let that sink in……..I will not be renewing my ST this year and it feels like my dog has died, thats me not joking, I’m gutted!
To put the prices up this year is a p..iss take. We were over charged for Wembley when we had no choice but fans did it in droves…..prices have gone up 64%…let that sink in……..I will not be renewing my ST this year and it feels like my dog has died, thats me not joking, I’m gutted!
Don’t say that, it renders all arguments…and I like a good argument !
I’m no fan of the po.xy owners either or po.xy Levy but I don’t believe in conspiracy theories and I don’t think Mourinho deserves the mud being thrown at him given the state the club were in when he arrived and our serious injury issues. Shouting ENIC out e very 5 minutes or throwing the manager under the bus curtently will.not.solve.anything!
You can hate the owners and love the club PT. There is no rational argument to say you can’t.
People saying that supporting the club MUST NOT involve slagging off the owners are either thick or communists…
I agree with much of what you say Gazza but conspiracy theories is a bit of a stretch for me…
If you play shit then expect to be hooked off.
If you “can’t support” the club then head down the road and “support” the Woolwich Wanderers who seem like a better fit for you….
Give it a rest FFS
Who cares what that cock has to say. His opinion on anything is worth less than belly button fluff
Make sense please.
Dier was hooked in the first half,something that doesn’t happen often.
Therefore Jose done right by the player and explained why.
Entirely different circumstances with Dele.
He was substituted for poor performance not substituted during the first half.
Nothing abnormal about that at all.
Merson has an agenda against Tottenham and Jose.
He needs to take a good hard look in the mirror and at his former club before he criticizes.