Former Chelsea and Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has emerged as the favourite to become the new manager of Tottenham Hotspur after the sacking of Mauricio Pochettino. The self-proclaimed 'Special One' has been working as a TV pundit since being sacked by United in December 2018. (More Football News)
In a shock decision, Spurs sacked Pochettino, along with his coaching staff Jesus Perez, Miguel D'Agostino and Antoni Jimenez on Tuesday. The news came after Tottenham made a dismal start to the 2019-20 season, winning just three of their first 12 English Premier League games and suffering a humiliating 7-2 home defeat to Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League.
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Mourinho, who was recently linked with replacing Unai Emery at another North London club Arsenal, has expressed desire of remaining in England. The former Real Madrid boss has a special affinity with London after establishing his status as one of the best managers in the world while at Stamford Bridge.
Reports in British media claimed that the talks between Tottenham and Mourinho were at an advanced stage and that the 56-year-old could be announced as Pochettino’s replacement on Wednesday itself.
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Pochettino lifted Spurs to new heights after taking charge in 2014, leading them to a second-place finish in the league in 2016-17. That was the second of four consecutive top-four finishes, meaning Spurs became a regular UEFA Champions League fixture on his watch and were beaten finalists in Europe's top competition last season, losing 2-0 to Liverpool in Madrid, barely six months ago.
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However, a run that featured incredibly dramatic quarter-final and semi-final triumphs over Manchester City and Ajax respectively served to distract from dwindling domestic form that has not picked up this term.
Also Read: Pochettino's Tottenham Career In Numbers
A laboured 1-1 draw against Sheffield United before the international break left Spurs 14th in the table, with three wins and 14 points from 12 top-flight matches.
Pochettino's success at Spurs came despite long periods of inactivity in the transfer market and more than a season-and-a-half as tenants at Wembley for home games as their new stadium was built.
Also Read: Where Next For Former Tottenham Boss?
Other contenders for the Spurs job are Rafael Benitez, Carlo Ancelotti, Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann and Massimiliano Allegri.
Meanwhile, Pochettino himself remains linked with a move to one of the top clubs in Europe. Real Madrid, Manchester United and Bayern Munich are all touted as his next possible destinations.
(With Omnisport inputs)
