Spurs sorrow still raw as Mourinho decision straight after EL exit revealed

Jose Mourinho Dinamo Zagreb v Tottenham March 2021

Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho refused to talk to his players immediately after their Europa League exit to Dinamo Zagreb, a report claims.

Spurs, who led their last 16 tie 2-0 from the first leg, crashed out on Thursday after a 3-0 defeat.

Mislav Orsic proved the star man in Croatia, the attacker netting all three goals including an extra-time winner.

Mourinho made his feelings clear after the match in a lengthy post-match interview with BT Sport.

What’s more, he admitted that he shared his concerns about losing with his players, something he rarely does.

However, according to The Telegraph, Mourinho did share his feelings about the result with his stars straight after full time.

While he went to the congratulate the Dinamo players for their efforts, the manager reportedly ‘resisted’ a chance to express his anger in his own dressing room.

Mourinho said after the match: “For sure it’s one of the most difficult, I don’t know if it’s the most difficult one, but honestly I don’t believe [I had] a similar feeling.

Jose Mourinho: Tottenham need attitude change

Jose Mourinho: Tottenham need attitude change

Jose Mourinho says the attitude of his Tottenham squad has to be 'completely different' if they want to beat Manchester City and win the Carabao Cup in April.

“I had in Europe moments of big pain but pain caused by what football is. I lost two Champions League semi-finals on penalties. It hurts you. [I’m] maybe still bleeding, but the passion for football, the respect for your job is something that hurts me deeply and I have this very bad feeling.

“This very bad feeling because maybe for some people in football, football is a job or a way to make money. For me, it’s much more than that. That’s what I never lose this basics of football, which is the passion, the heart, the desire.

“I feel very, very hurt that I cannot find more words to describe it.

“The only positive thing I take from here is this happiness that these people feel at this moment and that feeling, the happiness of these people, I can imagine on the sidelines the opposite feeling of Tottenham fans and of course I feel very hurt by that.”

Tottenham watch on as Europa League draw made

Europa League trophy

While Spurs crashed out, Premier League rivals Manchester United and Arsenal both booked their place in the quarter-finals.

United beat AC Milan 1-0 for a 2-1 aggregate win, while the Gunners edged past Olympiacos.

The Red Devils will face Granada in the last eight, with Arsenal facing Slavia Prague.

Meanwhile, Dinamo’s reward for beating Spurs is a tie against Villarreal.

READ MORE: Lloris reveals deep-rooted issues at Spurs in lengthy exposé after EL disaster