During his one and a half years at Tottenham Hotspur, former manager José Mourinho left a lasting impression—both positive and negative—on the club and its supporters.
His tenure at Spurs was marked by intense scrutiny and controversy, partly due to his prior criticisms of the club during his time with Chelsea and his often polarizing style of management.
José Mourinho’s arrival at Tottenham in November 2019 was met with a mixture of anticipation and skepticism. His reputation as one of the most successful and outspoken managers in football preceded him, but his initial period at Spurs was a turbulent one.
The Portuguese manager’s relationship with the club’s fanbase was complex, as many supporters were concerned that his tactics and approach were not in line with the club’s vision and style of play.
Criticism of Mourinho’s tenure at Tottenham was evident from the start. His approach was sometimes seen as abrasive and confrontational, which did not always sit well with the Spurs faithful. This discontent was compounded by Mourinho’s previous remarks about Tottenham during his two stints with Chelsea, where he had been openly critical of the club.
His tenure was a time of heightened scrutiny, with fans and analysts alike debating the effectiveness of his methods and their fit with Tottenham’s aspirations.
Despite the controversy, one of Mourinho’s relationships at the club that seemed to remain strong was with Tottenham’s captain, Son Heung-min.
The South Korean forward was often praised by Mourinho, who spoke highly of Son’s abilities and contributions to the team. In fact, just a few months ago, Mourinho publicly commended Son’s talent in an interview with EA Sports FC. He described Son as a world-class player, emphasizing that he did not view him solely as a Korean player but as one of the best talents in the world.
Mourinho’s praise for Son was unequivocal. He stated, “I don’t look at Son as a Korean player. I look at Son as one of the best players in the world.” Mourinho’s admiration extended beyond just flattery; he genuinely believed that Son had the potential to play for the top clubs in Europe.
He suggested that Son could thrive in various top teams, whether in England with Manchester City, Liverpool, or Chelsea, or abroad with elite clubs. Mourinho lauded Son’s versatility, noting his ability to play across different positions and contribute dynamically both centrally and from the flanks.
However, despite this public show of support, Son recently revealed in an interview shared on Reddit in South Korea that his relationship with Mourinho was not without its challenges. Son recounted an instance where Mourinho, during a half-time team talk, publicly embarrassed him in an effort to galvanize the team.
Son recalled, “During half time, he embarrassed me in front of everyone and said: ‘You don’t wanna be in a game with teams like Burnley and Stoke.'” The comment was designed to provoke a reaction and motivate his teammates, but it left Son feeling deeply upset.
Mourinho’s approach to managing players often included psychological tactics intended to inspire performance and drive. In Son’s case, this strategy involved using Son’s status as a key player to push the rest of the team to elevate their game. After the game, Mourinho did apologize to Son, explaining that his intention was to use Son’s prominence as a motivational tool for the team rather than to personally attack him.
Following his departure from Tottenham in April 2021, Mourinho continued his managerial career with notable success. He led AS Roma to victory in the UEFA Conference League, showcasing his ability to achieve success with different teams. Now at Fenerbahçe, Mourinho’s career continues to evolve, but his time at Tottenham remains a period marked by both high praise and significant controversy.
Mourinho’s tenure at Tottenham Hotspur was a period of intense scrutiny and debate. His methods, while effective for some, did not align with everyone’s expectations or the club’s traditional style. His interactions with players, such as Son Heung-min, highlighted the complexities of his management style—one that could be both motivational and controversial.
