Jose Mourinho Takes a Swipe at Former Club Tottenham Ahead of Champions League Qualifier
Jose Mourinho, the former Tottenham manager, has taken a subtle dig at his old club ahead of Fenerbahce’s Champions League qualifier against Lille. The 61-year-old, who was sacked by Spurs in April 2021, confessed that he “sometimes forgets” about his tenure at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Mourinho’s comments come as he prepares to lead Fenerbahce into the Champions League qualifiers, a competition he is familiar with after navigating three qualifying matches with Tottenham to secure their place in the Europa League group stage.
The Portuguese manager’s departure from Spurs left a sour taste, and his latest remarks suggest that he has not forgotten the circumstances surrounding his exit. Mourinho was shown the door just as Spurs were gearing up to face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, a match that could have ended their 13-year wait for a major trophy.
Now, as he looks to guide Fenerbahce into the Champions League group stage, Mourinho has taken a swipe at his former club. When asked about his experience in the qualifying rounds, he initially claimed to be unfamiliar with the process before recalling his time at Spurs.
“This is not the first time for me, it is the second time. I sometimes forget about Tottenham, that I played with them in the qualifiers,” Mourinho said. “This is the second time this has happened to me, but it’s the first time I’m starting the season in a summer month when there is a European Championship and a World Cup. This makes our job twice as difficult.”
Mourinho’s comments are a clear indication that he has not forgotten his time at Spurs and the circumstances surrounding his exit. The Portuguese manager is known for his ability to wind up his opponents, and his latest remarks are likely to be seen as a subtle dig at his former club.
As Fenerbahce prepares to face Lille in the Champions League qualifiers, Mourinho will be looking to guide his team into the group stage and prove his doubters wrong. The Portuguese manager has a reputation for delivering results in big games, and he will be eager to make a statement against Lille.
Mourinho’s Fenerbahce will face either Slavia Prague or Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in the Champions League play-off round if they beat Lille. The play-off round ties will take place on August 20-21 and August 27-28, and Mourinho will be looking to guide his team into the group stage.