‘That’s the only club I don’t feel close to!’: Jose Mourinho claims his relationship with Spurs has broken down since his sacking in 2021… and says Daniel Levy ‘didn’t give too much’ during his time at Tottenham
- Jose Mourinho said he no longer has great affection for Spurs
- The Portuguese coach was sacked ahead of the 2021 Carabao Cup final
- He suggested that the closure of the stadium due to Covid was a factor in his feeling
Jose Mourinho has claimed that Tottenham are the only team in his career he does not have a “close connection” with.
The north London side took a huge blow on Thursday in their search for a new first-team coach, after Feyenoord boss Arne Slot ruled himself out.
The news came just five days after their embarrassing 3-1 home defeat to Brentford that ended their hopes of qualifying for the Europa League.
And now, as if their future management concerns weren’t enough, one of their former coaches has expressed displeasure with his experience at the club.
At a press conference ahead of their Europa League final against Sevilla, Roma boss Mourinho admitted that Spurs were the only club he could not maintain a good relationship with after his departure.
Roma boss Jose Mourinho has spoken out about his experience managing Tottenham
Mourinho often made a frustrated figure during his 17 months at Spurs and has opened up about why the relationship fell apart
According to Gianluca DiMarzio, the Portuguese coach was asked about his Roma future and replied: ‘I have developed a good relationship with all the clubs I have coached. They laugh at me when I say I’m a fan of Real, Inter and Roma.
“If I leave the Giallorossi, it will be tough. The only team I have no connection with is Tottenham Hotspur.
“I hope my words aren’t misinterpreted by Tottenham fans, but that’s the only club I don’t have a close relationship with.
“Probably because the stadium was empty at the time of Covid and because President Levy didn’t care too much.”
Mourinho’s spell at Spurs came to a dramatic end in April 2021, just days before they were due to play the Carabao Cup final against Man City.
It was a decision that raised eyebrows among supporters given Mourinho’s impressive record in the cup finals and Spurs’ continued quest for silverware.
Spurs, led by interim boss Ryan Mason, lost 1-0 to Pep Guardiola’s City 1-0 in the final.
Mourinho has since enjoyed successes at Roma, including winning the inaugural Europa Conference League last season.
The former boss of Manchester United and Chelsea has secured a place in this year’s Europa League final for the Italian team, who face Sevilla on Saturday.
Had he been able to achieve such results during his time in North London, he might never have been fired from his position.
Mourinho said Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy was a factor in his broken tyre
The Portuguese boss boasted a 51 per cent win rate at Spurs before his sacking in April 2021
Mourinho, infamously, was the man in charge as Spurs blew a 2-0 lead in the first leg against Dinamo Zagreb – whose manager was in prison at the time.
A hat-trick from Mislav Oršić – who now plays for Southampton – stunned the North London side and sent them out of the competition just weeks before his sacking.
Tottenham Hotspur are the only club Mourinho has failed to win over with one of his recent sides.
Before joining Spurs, the Portuguese won the Carabao Cup and the Europa League with Manchester United.
He won his third Premier League title with Chelsea after returning to Stamford Bridge after successful spells at Real Madrid and Inter Milan.