Jose Mourinho has revealed Tottenham are the only one of his former clubs that he does not have a “close bond” with.
During his 17-month spell in charge of Spurs, Mourinho was unable to secure any silveware, the only club he has managed and not lifted a trophy at since his time at Uniao de Leiria more than 20 years ago.
Tottenham finished sixth after Mourinho replaced Mauricio Pochettino mid-season in 2019, and they sat seventh in the table when he was sacked by Daniel Levy in April 2021, less than a week before he was set to lead the club out at Wembley for the Carabao Cup final.
Ryan Mason took interim charge of the club, as he has done this season since Cristian Stellini’s departure, and was in the dugout as Spurs went on to lose that final to Manchester City.
Mourinho got the Roma job that summer and remains in the hot seat in Italy, helping the club end their 11-year trophy drought as they lifted the Europa Conference League last season. More success could follow next week, with Roma taking on Sevilla in the Europa League final.
Much of Mourinho’s time in north London took place without fans in attendance, due to the Covid pandemic, and the Roma boss admitted that, along with the timing of his sacking, has meant he does not hold Tottenham particularly close to his heart.
“What will Roma leave me when I leave here? What all the clubs I’ve been to have left me,” Mourinho said.
“I hope my words aren’t misinterpreted by Tottenham fans, but that’s the only club I don’t have a close bond with. Probably because the stadium was empty at the time of Covid and because President Levy did not let me play the final and win the trophy.
“People aren’t stupid, they understand that I give everything, it’s not a question of winning titles or not, but the fans perceive if I fight for them every day.”
