Tottenham‘s week has gone from bad to worse after Jose Mourinho claimed that Spurs are the only team in his career that he doesn’t ‘have a close bond’ with.
The north London side suffered a huge blow in their search for a new, first-team manager on Thursday, after Feyenoord boss Arne Slot ruled himself out the running.
The news came just five days after their embarrassing 3-1 home defeat to Brentford, which ruled them out of finishing within a Europa League spot.
And now, as if there future managerial concerns weren’t enough, one of their former coaches has voiced his displeasure with his experience at the club.
At a press conference for their Europa League final against Sevilla, Roma boss Mourinho admitted that Spurs were the only club he failed to maintain a good relationship with.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio, the Portuguese coach was asked about his Roma future and replied: ‘I have established a great bond with all the clubs I have coached. They make fun of me when I say I am a fan of Real, Inter and Roma.
‘When I leave the Giallorossi it will be tough. The only team I don’t have this relationship with is Tottenham.
‘I hope that my words will not be misinterpreted by Tottenham fans but that is the only club with which I do not have a close bond.
‘Probably because the stadium was empty at the time of Covid and because President Levy didn’t give too much.’
Mourinho’s stint at Spurs came to a dramatic end in April 2021, just days before they were scheduled to play the Carabao Cup final against Man City.
It was a decision that raised eyebrows with supporters, given Mourinho’s impressive record in cup finals and Spurs’ on-going search for silverware.
Spurs were beaten by Pep Guardiola’s City 1-0, as the north London side were led by interim boss Ryan Mason. Mourinho, meanwhile, has gone on to enjoy success with Roma.
The former Man United and Chelsea boss has secured a place in this year’s Europa League final for the Italian outfit, who will face Sevilla on Saturday.
Perhaps if he’d been able to produce such results during his stint in north London, then he would never have been dismissed from his position.
Mourinho, infamously, was the man in charge as Spurs watched a 2-0 first-leg lead get whittled away by Dinamo Zagreb – who’s manager had been in jail 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.
Source: dailymail.co.uk
