Jose Mourinho: ‘Humble’ Tottenham manager insists he ‘won’t make same mistakes’
The Portuguese claimed ‘to have a break was very positive’ for him
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Jose Mourinho insisted he has “always been humble” but vowed not to “make the same mistakes” at Tottenham Hotspur in his first press conference as manager.
Mourinho was speaking to the media for the first time since signing a three-and-a-half-year contract with the club yesterday morning – less than 12 hours after Mauricio Pochettino’s dismissal was confirmed.
Asked if he was a better manager than when he was sacked by Manchester United 11 months ago, Mourinho said: “I think so. You are what you are but I had time to think about many things.
“I realised that during my career, I made mistakes and I’m not going to make the same mistakes. I’m going to make new mistakes.
“I am humble. I am humble enough to try to analyse my career. Not just the last year but the problems and the solutions. The principle of my analysis was not to blame anyone else.
“I’m nobody to advise people but to have a break was very positive for me. Having the first summer where I didn’t work was not good for me. I was a bit lost. But it was good for me. I even learned how to be a pundit.”
Asked again if he considered himself as humble, Mourinho doubled down: “I was always humble. The problem was that you didn’t understand that. I was always humble but it was in my way.”
The 56-year-old also made a point of thanking Pochettino for all of his work at Spurs, insisting the “door will always be open to him” and that “he will find happiness again”.
“He can come when he wants,” Mourinho said. “When he miss the players, when he miss the people he works with. The door is always open for him.
“He will find happiness again. He will find a great club again. He will have a great future.”
Mourinho has already compiled his backroom staff, poaching Joao Sacramento from Lille to be his assistant manager. Carlos Lalin - fitness coach, Nuno Santos – goalkeeping coach, Ricardo Formosinho - scout and analyst, and Giovanni Cerra - analyst – complete the Portuguese’s hastily assembled set-up. However, Mourinho admitted he anticipated having to take charge of a club with just a few days to prepare for his first game.
“I had a feeling I was going to get a club mid-season,” he said. “I knew I would be in a situation where I would get only one or two days before my first game.
“I cannot come here and think it is about myself. It is about the players and going from a base of stability.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments