The English football club Tottenham Hotspur released a statement on Nov. 18 on their official website that sent shockwaves around the world of soccer. Mauricio Pochettino, the man who boasts of guiding the club to their three best Premier League finishes—and their maiden Champions League final—was removed after a poor start to their campaign.
The Spurs sat fourteenth on the table after the end of the twelfth game-week and had not won away from home in the Premier League since January.
There were varying reports about the reasons behind Pochettino’s termination. Many suspected that he was losing the dressing room and his players were turning against him. There were also rumours of a major argument with Chairman Daniel Levy days before he was fired.
Within hours of his departure, José Mourinho’s name made the headlines of newspapers as his possible replacement, and Levy wasted no time closing a deal.
Shortly after, Levy confirmed to the media that the three-time Premier League winner and two-time Champions League winner was going to be in charge at White Hart Lane for the next three seasons.
Mourinho has made no secret of his desire to return to England after being fired by Manchester United eleven months ago. He was yearning to come back to the Premier League, and it is safe to say that the Premier League was yearning for Mourinho to come back. Even the strongest of his haters cannot deny that the Premier League is simply incomplete without him.
Coming to the footballing side of the decision, Levy could not have chosen a better man for the job. Mourinho’s record speaks for itself. If there is anything that Mourinho does better than any manager in the world, it is winning trophies. Mourinho has won trophies at every club he has managed and if there is anything that Spurs players and fans need desperately, it is that. The most successful manager in Spurs’ history spent five and a half glorious years at the club, but could not deliver a single trophy.
Mourinho will inherit a great group of players who fit his style of play. Mourinho is known for setting up teams to counter-attack. In this Spurs side, he has experienced and Premier League-proven centre backs such Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld, and versatile, mobile midfielders like Harry Winks, Tanguy Ndombele, Moussa Sissoko and Eric Dier. He also has creative #10s Dele Alli, Lo Celso and Christian Eriksen, and fast wingers like Erik Lamela, Lucas Moura, and Son Heung-Min who can counter at the speed of light. He also has Harry Kane, arguably the best striker in the world.
If there is an area of concern for Mourinho, it is the two full-backs Serge Aurier and Danny Rose, who are far too injury-prone and error-happy for his liking. Mourinho will also have to ponder over signing a replacement for the ageing Hugo Lloris in goal.
Only time will tell if Jose Mourinho’s return to London and the Premier League is going to be a successful one or not. However, the one thing we can say with absolute certainty is that it is going to be very entertaining.
