Defiant Jose Mourinho vows to turn around Tottenham's dramatic slump in form

‘I’m sure I’m going to be in Tottenham’s history – for good reasons’: Jose Mourinho comes out fighting in a defiant press conference to claim he’s ‘in control’, has a ‘beautiful career’ and CAN stop the rot

  • Jose Mourinho came out fighting amid growing speculation over his future
  • Tottenham manager is under pressure after losing five of last six league games
  • But he insisted he remains ‘in control’ of his destiny at Spurs despite slump
  • Mourinho believes he can pen a positive chapter in the club’s history books
  • He said his relationship with chairman Daniel Levy is still a positive one
  • Mourinho also hit back at suggestions his players were finding training boring 

Jose Mourinho insists he remains ‘in control’ and ‘is more motivated than ever’ to arrest Tottenham’s dramatic slump in form and write a positive entry into the club’s history.

Speculation over Mourinho’s future at the north London club intensified after Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at West Ham, which was their fifth defeat in six Premier League matches.

But in a monologue on the demands placed on managers and his own legacy in his press conference to preview Wednesday’s Europa League game with Wolfsberger, Mourinho said he isn’t feeling ‘depressed’ about the situation and still ‘wakes up wanting to come to work.’

He also insisted his relationship with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy remains strong and hit back at suggestions some players had grown tired of his training methods. 

Mourinho gestures on the touchline during Tottenham's 2-1 defeat to West Ham on Sunday

Mourinho gestures on the touchline during Tottenham’s 2-1 defeat to West Ham on Sunday

Harry Kane rues a missed chance in what was Tottenham's fifth defeat in six league games

Harry Kane rues a missed chance in what was Tottenham’s fifth defeat in six league games

He said: ‘It’s positive in the negative that you say I’m not used to this but I want to know which coach has always had blue sky and never cloudy or a bit dark?

‘Perhaps only a coach who is always at a dominant club in a league. It shows how beautiful my career has been.

‘Does it make me depressed? No. It’s a challenge.

‘I work for the club, the players and the supporters. I always feel I have to give them so much. It hurts me and it is a great challenge for me and I believe I can give it.

‘I give it everywhere I’ve been and I’m more motivated than ever.

From title challengers in December, Tottenham's form has collapsed and they're in mid-table

From title challengers in December, Tottenham’s form has collapsed and they’re in mid-table 

Tottenham fixtures 

Premier League unless stated

Wednesday Wolfsberger (H)

Europa League last-32, second leg

Sunday Burnley (H)

March 4 Fulham (A)

March 7 Crystal Palace (H)

March 14 Arsenal (A)

March 21 Aston Villa (A)

‘I never felt what normally coaches felt when the results are bad, they are lonely men. That’s what we normally are. I never felt that in this building. 

‘I feel not only respected but supported. Everybody in the same boat. Nobody is happy but nobody is depressed. I feel positive. 

‘Maybe a bit weird for you after losing so many matches but I’m positive. I’m not happy but I wake up wanting to come here. 

‘Everybody is loving training and working hard with so many matches.’

Later in the press conference, he added: ‘Thank god I’m not the manager I was. We all evolve. 

‘Sometimes I had problems, not in terms of results as I didn’t have many bad results, but day to day problems and I reacted in a much more emotional way. Instead of helping myself I was creating more conflicts.

‘As an example I left Chelsea as a champion. Maybe your experience as a journalist tells you that people with more experience can deal with negative things better. 

‘We are calm. I am not happy but maturity helps and I am feeling very confident. 

‘I believe that we will win through and that I will be in Tottenham’s history through good reasons rather than bad.’

There have been reports that some players are tired of Mourinho's training sessions

There have been reports that some players are tired of Mourinho’s training sessions 

On his relationship with Levy, Mourinho said: ‘My relationship is the same since day one which is one of respect and open communication. We respect each other. There is no contradiction between us because we both feel the same. 

‘I believe we all feel the same feelings. Nobody is happy, nobody is depressed and everybody feels we are going to do better. 

Mourinho has also been criticised for his sparing use of Gareth Bale, who returned to the club on loan from Real Madrid last summer but has only started two league games.

But he suggested that the Welshman has nothing to prove to him.

Mourinho said: ‘He doesn’t need to convince me. It’s about playing the minutes I would love him to play. It’s a process.

‘You see the number of matches he played in previous years. He had a positive impact, he had a cross, a couple of assists, he had a shot, he hit the post.

Gareth Bale gave Tottenham more drive when he came on against West Ham on Sunday

Gareth Bale gave Tottenham more drive when he came on against West Ham on Sunday

‘He’s doing that better but he’s not playing 90 minutes. We are managing his evolution. He has nothing to convince me of.

‘I can tell you that in this moment Gareth is playing the minutes that he feels he can and what he wants and we want is to play more matches than he did and more crucial matches than he did.’

source: dailymail.co.uk