After 11 months out of the manager’s dugout, Jose Mourinho is finally back in football after signing a four-year deal to be the new Tottenham manager, returning to London and the Premier League.
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy wasted no time in appointing Mourinho following the sacking of Mauricio Pochettino as he was unveiled as the new manager within 24 hours of that dismissal.
Levy was reportedly interested in the Portuguese coach in 2003 when he was in charge of Porto, but a deal to bring the then young and upcoming manager to the Premier League could not be reached.
It is bittersweet for many Spurs fans as Pochettino spent just over five years with Tottenham where he was very popular as he did an excellent job at the North London club.
Not only did Pochettino establish the Spurs as regulars in the top four under a limited budget in comparison to their rivals in the league, he led them to the Champions League final last season, where they were beaten by Liverpool in Madrid, while he also ensured his side was not disrupted too much by the change in stadium over the last few years.
Mourinho will feel he has a lot to prove at Tottenham on his return to management. He was sacked by Manchester United last December after falling out with many of his players in the dressing room at Old Trafford. He had many offers to return to management, including lucrative proposals in China, but he was patient and waited for the right opportunity.
The break from the game will give Mourinho time to reflect on the mistakes he made at United and during his second spell at Chelsea. Although it is early, the signs from the touchlines are positive as he looks a lot happier than he did at the back end of his reign at Old Trafford.
Tottenham have a lot of work to do if they are to finish in the top four at the end of the campaign where they are 12/5 in the football betting to do so. Spurs have just recently qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League, while the FA Cup is a competition Mourinho could look to target this season.
Tottenham last won a trophy way back in 2008, when they lifted the League Cup. With the record Mourinho has around the world, their chances of ending their wait for some silverware surely increase in the near future.
Mourinho knows he will need to get the best out of the likes of Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Son Heung-min and Christian Eriksen if he is to be successful. Money is likely to be available to him in January if he wants to boost the squad but he seems very pleased with what he has at his disposal.
December is set to be a big month for Spurs and Mourinho as they have games against Manchester United, Chelsea and Wolves in the Premier League.
