Recent news has just broken that Tottenham have sacked their manager Mauricio Pochettino and have signed Jose Mourinho. The key aim will be looking to push them back up the Premier league table, as they currently are sitting in 14th position and just six points off the relegation zone. Could he also lead them to further success in the Champions league? Following their run to the final last season, before the defeat to Liverpool.
Jose Mourinho has won 25 senior trophies as a coach, which is why he is widely regarded as one of the world’s best. He is also only one of three managers to have won the Champions league twice with two clubs. The first coming with the surprise victory of FC Porto in 2004, before following up with Inter Milan in 2010. This shows his prowess of success in the competition and bodes well for Spurs moving forward. He is also of course a three-time Premier league champion with Chelsea in 2005, 2006 and 2015.
The current online football betting odds has Spurs at a best priced 40/1 to go on and land the Champions league title this season, behind market leaders Manchester City at 3/1. This gives an indication of the task at hand for Mourinho in the competition, but it would be no bigger shock than the victory of FC Porto in 2004.
Tottenham are sitting in a very promising position in Group B, that includes Bayern Munich, Serbian champions Red Star Belgrade and Olympiacos. Following the opening four matches, Spurs are sitting in second with seven points, which means they are four clear of third, and in a very strong position to qualify for the knockout stages. Next up they will welcome Olympiacos and a victory would guarantee their progression, before finishing off with an away trip to Bayern Munich.
Match day one saw them blow a 2-0 lead away at Olympiacos. This was a difficult result to take but another example of their stuttering form this season. They were then beaten 7-2 by Bayern Munich at home, despite again taking the lead. This was the worst result in the club’s history in the competition as former Gunner Serge Gnabry picked up four second half goals in the rout.
Spurs have now found their form in the competition with two consecutive impressive victories. This started with a 5-0 home win against Red Star, as both Kane and Min scored braces. Spurs then followed this up with a 4-0 away win against the same side, to put themselves in a strong position to qualify for the knockout stages. Can Mourinho now lead them to glory this season?