Mourinho feeling grumpy and ‘already regrets taking Tottenham job’

Jose Mourinho is already regretting taking the Tottenham job just two months into his reign, according to controversial pundit Paul Merson.

Mourinho succeeded the sacked Mauricio Pochettino back in November and quickly made it clear he would try and present a different persona to the moody one that often belittled his time in charge at Manchester United.

Ten wins in his first 19 matches in charge have rejuvenated Tottenham, who are now just four points behind fourth-placed Chelsea and are through to the FA Cup fifth round and the last-16 of the Champions League.

However, unconvincing displays against both Man City and Southampton in their last two matches – games in which Spurs both won – have seen the old Mourinho come out, and now Merson claims he’s not happy!

“I said when he went there it would give them a lift and there would be a charm offensive – and he was all smiles for a while,” Merson wrote in the Daily Star.

“But everyone knew it wouldn’t last, didn’t they? He’s gone back to being Grumpy Mourinho again. And I don’t see how he’s improved them at all. Not one bit.

“He looks like he’s thinking: ‘What have I done coming here?’ You don’t see him high-fiving ball boys now do you?”

Merson added: “Mourinho is only there to get them into the top four. I can’t see Daniel Levy wanting to win the FA Cup but not get back into the Champions League.

 

“But it’s not really working, is it? Chelsea are in the driving seat to finish fourth and I can’t see Spurs catching them right now.

“They are a very lucky football team at the moment because they’ve been ripped to shreds in their last two matches but still managed to win.”

Mourinho’s indignation of late was perhaps best summed up in his post-match press briefing after the FA Cup replay win over Southampton with the Portuguese firebrand admitting “the better team had lost”.

“I have to be honest, I think the best team lost. The best team on the pitch lost,” he said.

“But the team with more heart, the team with the players who went to their limits, the team that had so many difficulties even to build a team, a team that, on the bench, the options were not options to change the game, even Dele [Alli].

“In so difficult conditions, I think my team deserved to win. The best team lost, but my team deserved to win.”

Meanwhile, Sporting Lisbon’s chief has opened up on Tottenham’s failed bid to sign Bruno Fernandes prior to his move to Manchester United last month.