Jose Mourinho has been named Tottenham Hotspur head coach until the end of the 2023 season.
The Portuguese replaces Mauricio Pochettino, who was shockingly sacked on Tuesday.
Negotiations between Tottenham and Mourinho, who had been out of job since he was sacked by Manchester United in December 2018, was said to have intensified over the last few days, and was concluded in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Mourinho said: “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.”
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Mourinho’s first game will be a trip to the London Stadium on Saturday, where his side will take on West Ham in the Premier League.
Daniel Levy, Chairman of the club, said he was “reluctant” to sack Pochettino, who led the club to four top-four finishes in his five seasons at White Hart Lane, as well as the Champions League final last season, where they lost 2-0 to Liverpool.
However, Levy said Spurs side the decision had to be made in the “club’s best interests”.
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Mourinho won three Premier League titles with Chelsea, and is one of only three managers to have won the Champions League twice with two clubs; FC Porto in 2004 and Inter Milan in 2010.
“In Jose we have one of the most successful managers in football,” Levy said.
“He has a wealth of experience, can inspire teams and is a great tactician. He has won honours at every club he has coached. We believe he will bring energy and belief to the dressing room.”
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Mourinho is now saddled with the responsibility of turning the club’s fortunes around. They currently lie in 14th in the Premier League, and have won just five matches all season.
He reportedly turned down job offers in China, Spain and Portugal, since leaving United.
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