Spurs act fast to appoint Jose Mourinho after Mauricio Pochettino sacking
Tottenham Hotspur have appointed Jose Mourinho as their new head coach on a three-and-a-half year contract.
The London club have wasted no time replacing outgoing boss Mauricio Pochettino and announced their decision to appoint Mourinho early on Wednesday morning.
The Portuguese manager has been out of work after being sacked by Manchester United last season and now has the task of turning around the fortunes of last season’s Champions League finalists.
The club announced this morning that Mourinho has agreed a contract until the end of the 2022/23 season, with the 56-year-old surely now set to be expected to secure a top-four finish this term.
Commenting on the appointment, Chairman Daniel Levy said: “In Jose, we have one of the most successful managers in football. He has a wealth of experience, can inspire teams and is a great tactician. He has won honours at every club he has coached. We believe he will bring energy and belief to the dressing room.”
Mourinho has won a total of 25 trophies during his career, including three Premier League titles, two Champions League crowns, one La Liga title and two Serie A titles.
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Speaking on his appointment, Jose said: “I am excited to be joining a club with such a great heritage and such passionate supporters. The quality in both the squad and the academy excites me. Working with these players is what has attracted me.”
Spurs have struggled for domestic form since the end of last season, which was cited by the club’s board as a key reason behind their decision to end Pochettino’s reign.
2019/20 has been a trying campaign for the club so far, having won just three of their opening 12 games in the Premier League to leave them languishing in 14th place in the table and facing a battle to retain their place among Europe’s elite.
They face a trip to West Ham at the weekend, another side currently struggling in the bottom half of the table.
1.89 – Jose Mourinho’s points per game ratio at Manchester United (1.89) was exactly the same as Mauricio Pochettino’s at Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League (1.89). Replacement. pic.twitter.com/HUrTkXf3ue
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 20, 2019
Meanwhile, several Spurs players have taken to social media to thank Pochettino for his role in their respective careers thus far, having helped turn the north Londoners into a regular top-four side during his five-year spell in charge.
Spurs striker Harry Kane said of the Argentine: “I’ll be forever thankful to you for helping me achieve my dreams. We’ve had some amazing moments that I will never forget.
“You were my manager but my friend as well and I thank you for that relationship. Good luck with your next chapter.”
Gaffer. I’ll be forever thankful to you for helping me achieve my dreams. We’ve had some amazing moments in the last 5 and a half years that I will never forget. You were my manager but my friend as well and I thank you for that relationship. Good luck with your next chapter! 💙 pic.twitter.com/u64RXV7wd4
— Harry Kane (@HKane) November 20, 2019
