New Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho had plenty to say after Spurs were beaten in the Champions League final by Liverpool in June.
Mourinho commented on both predecessor Mauricio Pochettino – who was sacked by Tottenham on Tuesday night – and Harry Kane who the self-styled Special One will now be relying on to bang in the goals to get Spurs back in contention for a top-four spot.
Former Chelsea and Manchester United boss Mourinho was announced as new manager at Tottenham early on Wednesday morning ahead of their trip to the London Stadium to face West Ham on Saturday lunchtime.
Mourinho worked as a pundit alongside ex-Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger on beIN Sports for the Champions League final which Liverpool won 2-0 in Madrid.
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Despite Spurs’ defeat – Mourinho insisted fans should still be proud of Pochettino for steering the club to the final.
“That’s the drama of football and sometimes it’s not fair,” Mourinho said of Pochettino’s trophy-less stint with Spurs.
“Mauricio has had four very good years at Spurs, brings them to the final for the Champions League, and he’s still waiting for the first trophy of his career.
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“I feel very sorry for Mauricio but I think the English supporter is very loyal and they know when people give everything. They are a bit different than in other countries when everything is just about winning.
“I think the Tottenham fans are proud of their team. They still look to this team and this manager as a historical team for them.
“They will feel some love at home and next season when they go back to business, they will go with the pride of what they did and not in a low.”
Spurs talisman Kane had been injured in the run-up to the final with some suggesting he had been rushed back too quickly.
He turned in a largely ineffective display in the Spanish capital – and Mourinho gave his take on the England striker’s display in the immediate aftermath.
“Harry Kane was hidden all the time,” he said. “He normally drops back, comes in between the lines, normally he’s the link player.
“He receives the ball from one side, he goes between the lines, he turns, plays with the other full back, arrives in the box. Nothing of this dynamic yet.”
