Jose Mourinho has launched a scathing attack on Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy and claimed he is responsible for his feelings towards the North London club.
Mourinho’s comments come with Levy facing growing discontent from Spurs fans. The club’s fans are angered by their lack of on-field success in recent years with another chaotic campaign this time round – with the club once again finishing trophyless and set to miss out on European football entirely.
Spurs have been in the hunt for a new permanent boss since late March following Antonio Conte’s acrimonious exit, which happened nine weeks ago. Cristian Stellini and Ryan Mason have been put in interim charge in the meantime but Feyenoord boss Arne Slot was the latest option to rule himself out of the running this week.
Mourinho coached the club for almost 18 months between November 2019 and April 2021, but failed to meet the objectives of a top-four finish in the Premier League and ending the club’s trophy drought, which now stands at 15 years.
The Portuguese came into the club with a track record of success and winning trophies across his career, but silverware eluded him in North London. He was dismissed from his role ahead of that season’s EFL Cup final against Manchester City, which Spurs lost.
It appears that Mourinho has not forgiven Levy for the timing of his dismissal that campaign and the current Roma boss has outlined how Spurs are unique in his career for his feelings of ambivalence towards the club.
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Mourinho has had a stellar coaching career at multiple Portuguese clubs, most notably at FC Porto where he won the Champions League, alongside Chelsea and Manchester United, winning La Liga with Real Madrid and further European glory at Inter.
“I have established a great bond with all the clubs I have coached,” Mourinho explained at a press conference on Thursday.
“They make fun of me when I say I am a fan of Porto, Chelsea, Manchester United Real Madrid, Inter and Roma. I have a connection with them all. I love them all. They also love me back.
“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 in my career with which I do not have a deep feeling.
“Probably because the stadium was empty at the time of Covid and probably because Mr Levy didn't let me win a final or win a trophy.”
Mourinho then added, with another dig at the Spurs chairman: “When I leave Roma one day it will be tough. But we will be connected forever, as I am with all my previous clubs. Apart from Mr Levy’s club.”
