"I was so upset about it" - Son Heung-min recalls Jose Mourinho blasting him in front of Tottenham teammates
Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min, in an interview with EAFC, opened up about an incident when then Spurs manager Jose Mourinho lost his cool at him in front of his team-mates.
The South Korea international admitted that he was upset about how the Portuguese handled the situation, which shook him.
"One time Mourinho told me off during the game. [He said] 'I don't think you want to be in a game with a team like Burnley or Stoke (rough game)' in front of all the players and I was so upset about it, I'm not even an 18-19-year-old to be treated like that," the 32-year old said (via GOAL).
Mourinho took over from Spurs' longest-serving manager in the Premier League era, Mauricio Pochettino, in 2019. Despite being one of the most decorated managers in football, it was an unsuccessful stint with Spurs for Jose.
Jose Mourinho patched things up with Son Heung-min later
Son clarified that the former Real Madrid, Inter Milan, and Chelsea manager later told him that he did not intend to cause any hurt. Jose Mourinho also mentioned that he focused on the South Korean forward because he believed that he was the best player in the team.
"Later after the match, the coach texted me, 'I know you understand that it wasn't my intention to target and hurt you. But I need to make sure that other players are not being lazy, and I need to show them by telling off the best player in the team, and for me, that player is you'," clarified the forward.
He said that all his disappointment dissipated after reading that message, saying he "felt good".
Spurs signed Son from Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen in a deal reported to be valued at £22 million in 2015. Since then, the now 32-year-old has played under seven different managers.
The forward, who is now coached by Australian Ange Postecoglou at the club, is currently preparing for the upcoming season. The north London side will next face Bayern Munich in a pre-season friendly on August 10. Spurs will begin their Premier League season away from home against newly promoted Leicester City on August 19.