Eleven months after parting company with Manchester United, Jose Mourinho is back in the big time.
On Thursday he addressed the press pack in his new role as manager of Tottenham and as usual with the Special One he had plenty to say about plenty of subjects.
Mourinho’s first match in charge of Spurs is a London derby away at West Ham United on Saturday lunchtime. Kick-off at the London Stadium is 12.30pm (GMT) and the Premier League fixture is live on BT Sport.
Here is a selection of the words, wisdom and wackiness from the new guv’nor in north London.
On his predecessor Mauricio Pochettino
“I do it with a bit of sadness but I have to speak about Mauricio. I have to congratulate him for the work he has done. This club will always be his home. This training ground will always be his training ground. The door will always be open for him. He will find happiness again. He will find a great club again. He will have a great future.”
On how he’s changed in 2019
“I always thought that these 11 months were not a waste of time. They were months to think, to analyse, to prepare. You never lose your DNA, you never lose your identity, but I have time to think about many things. During my career I have made mistakes… I realised I made mistakes. I’m not going to make the same mistakes. I’ll make new mistakes – but not the same.”
On whether he’s more humble
“I was always humble, in my way. The problem is you didn’t understand that.”
On whether losing the Champions League final is to blame for Spurs’s slow start?
“I don’t know because I never lost a Champions League final.”
On whether he’s got his mojo back
“I have to go to Google translate to know what ‘mojo’ is.”
On why ‘Mr Chelsea’ is managing Spurs?
“I think they have to see me as Mr Inter, Mr Real Madrid, Mr Porto. I am a club man, but [a] many clubs man. I am not Chelsea, I am not Inter, I am not Real Madrid, I am all of them. I gave everything to all of them and that is what I am going to give here.”
On his relations with Manchester United
“I got 50 text messages from people from Manchester United, from people all over the club. That is the most important thing after the medals and trophies.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
For analysis of the biggest sport stories – and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news – try The Week magazine. Start your trial today
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
On his ambitions at Tottenham
“We cannot win the Premier League this season, but we can win it next season. Not will, but can.”
On the challenge at Spurs
“I am ready to support them, this is not about me. It is about the club. I am here to try and help everyone… every time a club changes in mid-season it is because the situation is not good, that is obvious.”
On changing the Spurs squad
“I don’t need players. I am happy with the ones I have. I just need more time with them. I know them well from playing against them, but you never know them well enough.”
Further reading
Today’s back pages
‘Spurs can win the Premier League next season’, says Jose Mourinho
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
For analysis of the biggest sport stories – and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news – try The Week magazine. Start your trial today
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
