It has been an eventful 12 hours at Tottenham Hotspur as they lost and gained a head coach quite literally overnight.
On Tuesday evening it was announced that Mauricio Pochettino had been sacked from his position at the north London club after five and a half years in charge.
That came after Spurs had managed just three wins and five draws from their opening 12 Premier League matches of the season, a record good enough only for 14th place.
Their Champions League campaign was also not without its problems, epitomised in a 7-2 defeat to Bayern Munich earlier this season.
Just as the football world was reeling from the surprise departure on their way into bed, we all emerged the next morning to an arguably even more seismic development.
Jose Mourinho is back.
The former Chelsea and Manchester United manager was appointed Spurs’ new head coach in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Whether he has the desired effect there, after his two most recent managerial spells ended sourly, remains to be seen.
However, it should all make for interesting viewing when his new side travel to West Ham in Gameweek 13…
“I am excited to be joining a Club with such a great heritage and such passionate supporters. The quality in both the squad and the academy excites me. Working with these players is what has attracted me.” – Jose Mourinho
We will do our best to bring you a Scout Report on Jose Mourinho, and what we believe he will bring to Spurs, as soon as possible.
Nominated for ‘Best in Fantasy Football – Editorial’ at the Football Content Awards 2020
4 years, 5 months agoMy 0.02 on the Mourinho hiring:
Gazza will definitely be good value. Mourinho likes to stick 6-8 men behind the ball and give up low-danger shots. De Gea scored pretty well for Mourinho a couple of years.
For D, I have no idea who plays. Mou generally goes with a back 4 (only playing a back 5 in certain situations) and wants his FB to defend first, support second - I wouldn't be surprised to see Davies beat out Rose for the LB spot.
Also, if Aurier continues his tendency to pick up stupid cards, I wouldn't be surprised to see him nailed to the bench with Alderweireld pushed out wide, and Sanchez and Foyth (and eventually Vertonghen) in the middle.
My guess is that he'll pair Dier (if fit) and Tanguy in the middle. Neither will be attractive from a fantasy option.
I'm also guessing he plays Dele Alli in the hole and sticks Eriksen to the bench until Eriksen is sold in January.
On the flanks, I'm guessing Son and Lucas Moura will be asked to provide with and the threat from the counter attack. I could see both starting to provide good fantasy value for their price tags - Son in particular. If Moura can't hack it, maybe Sissoko or Sessegnon? I can't see Lamela getting a game under Mourinho.
Last but not least, I think Mourinho will actually be good for Harry Kane. Mourinho will love having a "new Drogba" to hold up the ball, get in the box and take as many shots as he pleases. I also don't see him dropping into midfield anywhere near as much as he has under Pochettino/Southgate.
Anyways, just some wild conjecture from a United supporter.