ROB WAS HOT FOR TOTT JOB
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR’S proud motto reads: “To dare is to do.”
Mauricio Pochettino showed them how to dare. Jose Mourinho will show them how to do.
That was the instant reaction as the latest instalment of the Portuguese manager’s Premier League soap opera began like all good stories – with a bang.
The main theme, that there was no hangover from the Pochettino era, was evident from the minute the visitors strode confidently into a two-goal first-half lead.
But, of course, the subplot was provided by Mourinho who has questions of his own to answer.
Has he lost his edge? Could he recover from the fall-out from Old Trafford? Is he, at 56, still in tune with modern-day football?
The only conclusion to draw following this victory was yes.
Mourinho – this uber-successful individual boasting charisma by the bucketload – is charged with taking over from the beloved Pochettino.
But if that’s pressure then he brushed it off with about as much difficulty as his side encountered against the Hammers.
After a mauling that should have been far more embarrassing than the scoreline suggests the manager’s pre-match checklist had ticks running right down the page.
Win away from home in the Premier League for the first time in 11 months and against despised rivals? Tick.
Work out what is wrong with Dele Alli and get him firing on all cylinders again? Tick.
Transform players who were lacking in belief, confidence, direction and know-how. Tick, tick, tick.
By the final whistle the only other ticking sound came from the clock that is surely counting down on West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini at the London Stadium.
Top managers provide clarity. Top managers place round pegs in round holes. Top managers with very good players will win lots of football matches.
The first plank of ‘Humble One’ Mourinho’s reconstruction has been laid.
With the squad of players he’s inherited, surely it won’t be long before the second one follows.
ROBERTO MARTINEZ was ready to dump Belgium for Tottenham – until Jose Mourinho landed the job.
The ex-Everton boss was among the names under consideration at White Hart Lane once chairman Daniel Levy decided to get shot of Mauricio Pochettino.
Spaniard Martinez, 46 (below) who has been in charge of Belgium since August 2016, has never lost his desire to return to club management – if and when the right role comes along.
And despite his Belgium outfit, who finished third at the 2018 World Cup finals, being one of the major favourites to win next year’s Euro finals, it seems he viewed the Spurs vacancy as just that.
As the pressure on Poch reached breaking point, Tottenham were made aware of Martinez’s interest in the post.
But while Levy is an admirer of the ex-Wigan and Swansea boss, the two parties never held talks.
The pace of Mourinho’s arrival took everyone by surprise, especially devastated Pochettino.
The Argentine, 47, always enjoyed a close relationship with Levy and never expected to be shown the door mid-season.
Although he has since been linked to Bayern Munich, sources close to the ex-Southampton and Espanyol coach say he is unlikely to “rush into a new job” any time soon.