Jose Mourinho had various avatars in premier league so far – Starting with special one, he moved to a happy one but Manchester United saw a version which became infamous as Grumpy one. At Tottenham Hotspurs, Jose Mourinho has adapted a new version called “Family one”. In this “whole new Jose Mourinho” world, the key word is family. Mourinho said it six times in his post-match presser after Tottenham Hotspur scrapped to a 2-1 defeat of Norwich City on Wednesday in London.
Jose Mourinho said ” It was fantastic what happened after the 1-1, which happens in a difficult moment for us where I look to the bench and I don’t have attacking players to change the game the team is a little bit fatigued, especially Lucas, Son and of course Lamela. I took him off because he was in trouble and he is a player who is coming from very important and long injury, so very difficult. How can we change the game? With the family spirit, the family character and desire.”
Mourinho also praised Giovani Lo Celso‘s work on the wing for attack-short Spurs as “a good experience for the family,” and Paulo Gazzaniga‘s support for returned goalkeeper Hugo Lloris as “a good member of the family and he is such a special friend of Hugo.”
Ralph Hasenhuttl has revealed that Jose Mourinho branding Southampton goalkeeping coach Andrew Sparkes an “idiot” became a running joke among his staff. Saints boss Hasenhuttl, who has repeatedly spoken of his admiration for Mourinho, feels no animosity towards his fellow coach and revealed the controversial incident has provided a source of humour.
Ralph Hasenhuttl said “I don’t think so, it’s emotion, they are part of the game. Jose is a fantastic guy and Andrew is also a fantastic guy. It was a running gag after the game, also in our office, but he is a good guy and I think this is normal sometimes in a game, that emotions are coming up. But don’t hang it too high, I think.”
Mourinho received a yellow card from referee Mike Dean after a touchline altercation with Sparkes. His frustration boiled over due to perceived time-wasting from Southampton as he watched Tottenham labour in defeat and lose star striker Harry Kane to a long-term injury.
Speaking immediately after the game, the former Chelsea and Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho said: “I think the yellow card is fair because I was rude, but I was rude to an idiot.”
That impressive win for resurgent Saints, secured by an early Danny Ings strike, is part of a run of seven victories from 11 top-flight games which have propelled the south coast club away from relegation danger. Hasenhuttl hopes to see a handshake between Jose Mourinho and Sparkes ahead of the rematch.
Eric Dier scoffed at rumours that Tottenham’s players are already growing tired of life under Jose Mourinho.
Eric Dier said “Any club, when results aren’t going well, is not a happy atmosphere. But it definitely isn’t a negative atmosphere. I don’t feel anything along those lines personally and I think everybody has been training very well, training hard, enjoying themselves in the same way as always. Like I say, when the results aren’t good, nobody is happy. Only in that sense, though – nothing negative. The spirit has always been one of this team’s greatest strengths and I still think it is. I don’t think anything has changed in that sense. I don’t know what these stories are about.”
After a bumpy spell, Spurs got back on track against Norwich on Wednesday in what could be Christian Eriksen’s final appearance in front of Tottenham’s home fans.
