The appointment of Jose Mourinho as Tottenham Hotspur manager was one that raised a few eyebrows.
The Portuguese looked to be finished in top level football after another patented Jose Mourinho implosion at Manchester United. After crashing and burning at Chelsea (twice) and United, his time in the Premier League was over.
That Tottenham hired him to replace beloved coach Mauricio Pochettino speaks to one thing: their desire for trophies. While Mourinho’s track record of winning trophies is proven, so is his track record of getting sacked.
There was no need to worry though, according to Jose Mourinho. He was a changed man. He’d learned from his mistakes. No longer would he combust and throw his players under the bus when things go against him.
Read: The Contrary Symmetry of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez
As he has strained to play the nice guy, he has broadly kept his promise. However, in changing the perception of his character he has neglected to change his football. He still plays the ultra defensive, counter attacking style that worked for him ten years ago.
The problem with that is even middling to lower Premier League teams are playing quite sophisticated football these days. With two players like Harry Kane and Hueng-Min Son playing at their best, the counter attacking can work. However, with Kane’s latest injury, Spurs’ limitations are once again exposed.
Tottenham’s spell as title contenders was short lived. Perhaps the tumultuous nature of this season is what allowed Mourinho to flatter to deceive this year. After falling away, he is being questioned.
Read: Absent Fans, The Most Gripping Premier League Title Race Is Being Run
What next for Spurs chairman Daniel Levy? The Mourinho appointment was an incredibly short term decision that isn’t working out. One suspects it was a vain decision and while initially exciting, the Mourinho reality is inescapable.
It will be tough for Levy to back down. Especially after the Amazon documentary. The promise of the Pochettino era has remained just that, promise. It appears Tottenham are back to square one.
