TTLB Opinion: Should Tottenham reconsider bringing back Jose Mourinho?

Given how the former Chelsea manager plays a compact low block and maintains those defensive structures, he would certainly bring a sense of defensive stability, and his integration would also bring that ruthlessness into the roster, given there are not many managers out there who know how to close games better than Mourinho. So his Tottenham would not concede as many goals and would be a more tricky side to face, especially in high-stakes games.

However, Tottenham would be a more system-disciplined side over the current expressive side, which will end up restricting creative talents like James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski.

The club would go from playing high 60-metre lines to a properly coached mid and deep block moving as one.

Impact on roster at Hotspur Way

There will certainly be a short-term lift in the motivation in that dressing room. The players will start appreciating the clarity and defensive security that come from playing how Mourinho does. And moreover, senior players like Romero and Bentancur will likely end up staying and buying into the Portuguese’s words.

However (as mentioned above), there will be less attacking licence to the attacking players, which could end up frustrating them. And in more of a medium-term impact, we have seen with Jose how the dressing room gets tired of his methods after a stint of 18 or maybe 24 months (the likes of United, Roma and his first stint at N17 is a perfect glimpse of it).

Does he align with where Tottenham want to go?

Mourinho prefers experienced and ready-made players, and while he can build a few young players, he is not a long-term squad-building manager. Moreover, his integration of youth is limited in a way that it supports the system. And lastly, he takes away that attacking football brand that Daniel Levy is looking to create at Tottenham.

But yes, that being said, Jose prioritises cup competitions, and he has that ability to bring immediate silverware at Hotspur Way.

However, if the chiefs at Spurs are looking for someone who is going to come in and be more of a 3-5 year project coach, then they should certainly be looking away from Mourinho.

Reputational and fan impact

Mourinho and his global brand would entice global supporters, and then he would come in with a narrative of ‘unfinished business’ that would attract media and attention. However, this would see a return of short-term thinking at Hotspur Way, and his appointment could risk dividing the supporters who are looking for the club to attach to an identity of attractive football.

Author Opinion

If the club is thinking for the next 1-2 seasons, I don’t think there will be a better-suited candidate than Jose, and the fact that he would stabilise that defence and make sure that the club is more difficult to beat would be appreciated by a lot of supporters who have seen Tottenham taken for a run by most of their rivals. But then if they are planning with the current squad for the long term with ambition to achieve success by playing a good brand of football, then he is not your man.