Some managerial changes are predictable in football. Nathan Jones never looked likely to succeed at Stoke. Neil Warnock was always likely to become collateral at Cardiff. Javi Gracia was favourite to leave long before he left behind woeful Watford.
Other dismissals, however, come out of the blue. Or, as the last 24 hours have shown us, out of the lilywhite and blue.
Mauricio Pochettino and Tottenham Hotspur are no more. ‘Poch’ has left Spurs, sacked by Chairman Daniel Levy, and already much missed by Spurs and England striker Harry Kane:
Gaffer. I’ll be forever thankful to you for helping me achieve my dreams. We’ve had some amazing moments in the last 5 and a half years that I will never forget. You were my manager but my friend as well and I thank you for that relationship. Good luck with your next chapter! 💙 pic.twitter.com/u64RXV7wd4
— Harry Kane (@HKane) November 20, 2019
However, 10 hours after announcing the shock news last night in London, Tottenham Hotspur had a new announcement to make. No, they haven’t ditched Molten Brown as their handwash gurus, nor have they canned Tiki Tonga as their official coffee bean provider on matchdays. Why would they, with the rich, smooth satisfying lather of Tiki Tonga and the hot jolt of wake-up juice that is Molten Brown bringing you to maximum refreshment at White Hart Lane.
No, Spurs today told their fans the news that bookmakers had been dreading and the North London club’s press officer had feared during the club’s recent run of defeats.
José Mourinho is back in the Premier League.
Welcome José. #THFC ⚪️ #COYS pic.twitter.com/0CYU4IXN0E
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 20, 2019
Like a child holding up the maths revision book their grandparent bought them for Christmas, Mourinho has jumped into the shoes of Pochettino with the grave not so much as still warm as having not even been marked out for digging yet.
Tottenham Hotspur’s season was certainly in need of revitalisation, with the North London outfit languishing in 14th place in the current Premier League table. However, although they begin the era of Mourinho eight places behind their North London rivals Arsenal, that equates to just three points, with Spurs actually having a better goal difference that The Gunners at this moment in time.
Mourinho’s mantra has always been to win at all costs, but whether he can maintain that pragmatic stance at a stadium that has only just opened, and to a fanfare of excited promises of ‘To Dare is To Do’ football is uncertain.
Sources close to the Portuguese suggest that his 11 months out of the game since his ignominious departure from Old Trafford have seen the three-time Premier League title winner chance his attitude to management, embracing the changes that have made the modern game one of the high press, front-foot attacking and creative expression from full-backs. Observers at all levels with remain unconvinced of this until they see how he approaches the Spurs squad.
As usual, the proof will be in the performances. While Mourinho’s stock was low a year ago, he might now be seen as a winner in the eyes of fans who, lest we forget, did not win a trophy under Pochettino. Close, but no cigar, and there is a new man chomping at the bit now.
The finances might need juggling by either Levy or Mourinho for Spurs to succeed. But the intrigue of who might work in his system and who definitely won’t could be the most interesting sub-plot of a Premier League season which, as yet, has hardly caught spark.
In a fortnight’s time, Spurs head to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United. Paul Pogba may push himself to be fit for that one, and the man vilified by the Old Trafford faithful is certain to go back under a storm cloud of some sort.
Spurs fans don’t know what they’re getting yet – a master at work, or the unravelling of a record-breaking manager’s reputation.
Fans live off the dreams of their history, and the original Glory, Glory club has always had those dreams.
Under Mauricio Pochettino, Tottenham Hotspur can claim to have dared like never before. Time will tell if the North London outfit have chosen the right man in José Mourinho to finally do.
