Football
Mourinho names Tottenham as sole club lacking human connection
Jose Mourinho cites pandemic isolation at Tottenham as the reason for his lack of emotional bond with that club, contrasting it with positive ties elsewhere.
Jose Mourinho has identified Tottenham Hotspur as the only club in his managerial career where he failed to establish a genuine human connection. The current Benfica head coach attributes this disconnect primarily to the unique circumstances surrounding his tenure in London.
Pandemic impact on Spurs tenure
In an extensive interview with the Italian publication "Corriere dello Sport," which was subsequently carried by "Mundo Deportivo," the Portuguese tactician clarified that his relationship with most former employers remains strong. He listed Benfica, Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Manchester United, Roma, and Fenerbahce among the clubs with which he maintains good relations. Tottenham stands as the singular exception to this pattern.
Mourinho managed the North London side from November 2019 until April 2021 before moving to Serie A to take charge of Roma. He explained that the coronavirus pandemic fundamentally altered his experience in England, preventing him from building a direct bond with the supporters due to prolonged periods without fans in attendance.
"That period coincided with the coronavirus pandemic. There was zero human contact. The stadium was almost empty most of the time. We played two or three matches with fans present, then we played the matches without fans, and without any interaction. I did not feel that connection with Tottenham," Mourinho stated regarding his time at the club.
Real Madrid speculation dynamics
The 62-year-old also addressed recent rumors linking him to the Real Madrid position following his stint at Benfica. He described the sequence of events as unfolding in reverse compared to typical transfer sagas.
"Things usually start with contacts, then the buzz and rumours appear based on those contacts, but in this case the complete opposite happened. The buzz and rumours began before any contacts were made," he said. Mourinho noted that he was surprised by the speculation, stating that no one had spoken to him about the role, leading him to initially dismiss the reports as untrue.
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